POE TO MIAA: FIX SERVICE FIRST BEFORE RAISING FEES

Improve airport services first.

Sen. Grace Poe called out the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) after it bared plans to increase the terminal fee or passenger service charge at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) by April next year.

“Before focusing on the ‘charge’ part, maybe it is best for MIAA and Naia to first focus on passenger service,” said Poe, who chairs the Senate’s public services committee.

The MIAA said it planned to increase terminal fees for international flights from P550 to P750, and for domestic flights from P200 to P300.

Stranded passengers

In a statement, Poe asked the MIAA to show first that it was using the fees properly.

She also rebuked the MIAA for its response to the plight of passengers stranded at Naia in August after a Xiamen Air plane skidded off the runway and got stuck in a muddy field, forcing authorities to halt flight operations.

Poe said Naia’s sound system had not worked well at the time, causing passengers to miss the announcement of their boarding time and gates, and subsequently miss their flights.

“What [is MIAA] doing right now with the existing ‘passenger service charge’ or terminal fee? What are they going to do if ever it increases? We can’t simply [accept their plan] hook, line and sinker. How about the kind of service that passengers deserve?” Poe asked.