I am all for the privatization of Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport because the “World’s Worst Airport” for so many years can’t always remain this way. However, when SMC (San Miguel Consortium) was announced as the winner to operate NAIA, I did not feel optimistic but decided to give it a chance. I mean, what else could I do? Come September, when the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) handed control of the airport to SMC’s New NAIA Infra Corp (NNIC), things didn’t go as expected. The first item on their agenda was to increase the fees even before improvements began! Then just yesterday, an NNIC memo circulated showing an exorbitant 400% increase in the overnight parking fees at NAIA, effective today, October 1, 2024!!! WTF, NNIC?
The old overnight parking fee at NAIA was only PhP 300.00 for every 24 hours. This was already a reasonable price, given that many flight crew members (pilots and cabin crew) usually park overnight at least two to three times a month depending on their flight schedules. Passengers who have no choice but to bring their cars also park for more than three days at times. Aside from the overnight parking fees, NNIC is increasing its parking rate to PhP 50.00 for the first two hours and PhP 25.00 for every succeeding hour. However, what caught me off guard was the overnight parking fee increase when NNIC just took over and there haven’t been any improvements yet in the facilities.
This sudden increase in fees has drawn many negative reactions from not only airline flight crew and airport workers but also passengers who are compelled to park at NAIA instead of taking Grab, especially those from the provinces. Was this even studied at all?
A 400% Increase
First of all, there are more than 800 pilots and 2,000 flight attendants who may use the parking areas in the NAIA complex. They don’t arrive and leave on fixed schedules; they all vary. Some have reporting times as early as 2 a.m., and their tours of duty may sometimes go beyond 24 hours, like those flying long-haul flights and even some regional flights. Given the inefficient public transportation system in Manila, it is practical for these flight crew members to park their cars overnight in the NAIA parking lots. So just imagine how exorbitant the fees will be. Let’s say a pilot will be more than 48 hours out of Manila. With the old rate, they would just pay 600 pesos for 48 hours. With the new pricing scheme, they will now be paying 2,400 pesos! That is a 400% jump! What if, due to weather conditions or technical issues, the flight crew has to remain for an extra night, making it 72 hours? Then, with the new overnight parking fees, that will mean 3,600 pesos versus the previous one at 900 pesos! Money-making scheme, NNIC? Instead of public service, it’s business for you?
Second, the passengers. Clark doesn’t have as many international and domestic flights compared to NAIA. Hence, people from Central and Northern Luzon have no choice but to fly from NAIA. The same goes for those from Southern Luzon areas like Batangas and Cavite. Since there is no efficient public transportation like trains that head directly to NAIA, some passengers who have no one to take them to and from NAIA have no choice but to bring their cars and park at NAIA for three days or more. So let’s say for a four-day trip and their cars are parked at NAIA for 96 hours; that will mean 4,800 pesos, perhaps now even more expensive than the airfare they paid!
If I am guessing correctly, NNIC wants to increase the fees to discourage nearby condo owners and unauthorized parking operators from parking too long in the NAIA complex. While I do understand that, I think increasing the parking fees by 400% for ALL is too much! Why not just apply lower overnight If I am guessing correctly, NNIC wants to increase the fees to discourage nearby condo owners and unauthorized parking operators from parking too long in the NAIA complex. While I do understand that, I think increasing the parking fees by 400% for ALL is too much! Why not just apply lower overnight parking fees to flight crew on duty, airport workers, and passengers? If you want to be sure, then ask the passenger to present like a boarding pass or ticket as proof that they are flying?
Public Service or Pure Business?
Even before any improvements, we have to pay for these exorbitant parking fees at NAIA, and I think this is sheer greed and no longer public service!
Again, if you read a post I made about SMC handling NAIA, I was hoping they would finally let go of their “we will do whatever we want, as if you have a choice” mindset. Apparently, it’s being carried over here, considering NNIC has just been in charge for days.
And I was told that this is simply the first part of the rate increases before fixing up the airport. There will also be exorbitant increases in the landing fees, concessionaire fees, gate rental fees, and more! Obviously, with all these increases, passengers will end up paying for them even before improvements in the airport are felt. It’s a sad reality, but then again, maybe that’s how SMC does things.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
