MIAA explains refund of terminal fee integration in airline tickets

MANILA — Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado on Wednesday expressed disappointment over misinformation spread on the integration of terminal fees in airline tickets, a project of the authority that is currently under a temporary restraining order (TRO).

Honrado told reporters in a press conference that contrary to what some overseas Filipino worker (OFW) groups think, the integration of terminal fees in airline tickets was in fact beneficial to them.

To recall, integration was scheduled to push through last Nov. 1, however, a Pasay City court issued a TRO against the implementation, following an OFW groups’ request.

The airport chief explained that the integration project involves engaging the services of the airlines by including the terminal fee in the cost of airline ticket. It will be collected upon one’s purchase of a plane ticket.

He said that the integration is a two-phased project where first, all exemptions mandated by the law such as exemption privilege for OFWs, national athletes and those approved by the Office of the President will be recognized and honored upon proper showing of proof of entitlement by the passenger when purchasing the ticket in the Philippines.

The second phase of the project is meanwhile recognizing exemptions at point of sale for tickets bought online or abroad.

However, Honrado said that for tickets purchased online or abroad, the terminal fee will be automatically included in the ticket cost.

“The reason for this is that an exempted passenger will not be able to show his proof of entitlement when he buys his ticket online or abroad,” he said.

He explained that that those exempted should not fear since MIAA is providing two modes by which an exempted passenger may refund the terminal fee portion of the ticket that he purchased online or abroad.

One can either refund upon the passenger’s departure flight (through refund booths in NAIA terminals manned by personnel of the Landbank of the Philippines) or after the passenger’s flight, where refund may also be done through a representative at the MIAA Administration Building.

The airport chief said that as for the second phase, since recognizing exemptions for tickets bought online or abroad cannot be done yet, paying the terminal fee and getting the refund was the only process there was to do.

“This (recognizing exempted tickets bought online or abroad) cannot be done yet given the present technology and other factors. But we believe nothing is unsurmountable,” he said.

Honrado meanwhile expressed hope that the project will push through despite the TRO, adding that the terminal fee integration into the cost of air ticket has been a clamor from international passengers.

“It is only in the Philippines, as far as the ASEAN is concerned, that face to face payment is still being made,” the airport chief said. “Our hopes are high that this project wills see its way through in no time.”