MANILA, Philippines – Airline companies have signaled willingness to integrate airport terminal fees into the cost of their plane tickets, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.
Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said that major airlines have already agreed in principle to include in their ticket charges the domestic passenger service charge (DPSC), more commonly known as the terminal fee.
She said this consensus was revealed during a consultation meeting with officials of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and executives of airline companies.
According to the DOT, the plan will shorten queues inside airport terminals and make traveling easier for Filipinos.
“This one is pursuant to the 10-point agenda of President Rodrigo Duterte. He has mentioned, time and again, the importance of facilitating processes and systems in government,” Tourism Undersecretary for Development Planning Benito Bengzon Jr. said.
“In this case, we are working together with the different airlines and our partner government agencies in making it easier for the traveling public. And we do that by integrating the various fees that are collected,” he added.
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Bengzon, who chaired the exploratory talks between the DOT, CAAP and the airlines, said there is first a need to finalize the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the stakeholders to ensure effective implementation.
CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio agreed, saying, “It works well with NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport). So it’s like replicating that in other airports. However, each airport is unique so we should flesh out the details first and discuss.”
Bengzon added there is a need to give the International Air Transport Association (IATA) proper lead time to prepare for the integration. “We have been informed that IATA will need to review and set up the integration system in the GDS (Global Distribution System),” he said.
