October 5, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — The private operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) may start imposing fines on overstaying vehicles in terminal curbsides before the holidays to decongest the gateway.
New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), led by San Miguel Corp. (SMC), eyes to minimize traffic buildup at the arrival and departure areas of the airport by penalizing overstaying cars.
NNIC general manager Angelito Alvarez said the group is looking into the possibility of limiting the number of minutes a vehicle can stay at the terminal curbsides.
If a car exceeds the limit, the driver has to pay a penalty before exiting the curbside. Alvarez said this measure would force families and relatives of travelers to hasten their pick-up and drop-off, mitigating vehicle congestion at the arrival and departure areas.
Alvarez also said it is possible that the sanctions would be enforced before the holiday stretch in November and December, when air travel demand is at its peak. NNIC believes the penalties can help in preventing airport congestion during the holiday season.
“It is possible (that we will implement the fines this year), when our boss says impose that, and in our view it would free up the curbside. Remember our situation every December and every All Saints’ Day. If we don’t come up with a solution, you can just imagine the passenger experience there,” Alvarez said.
The plan to penalize overstaying vehicles in NAIA was first raised by SMC chairman and CEO Ramon Ang prior to the turnover of the airport to NNIC.
As for the recent fees increase, Alvarez reminded shareholders that NNIC is only implementing the fare matrix under Administrative Order 1, Series of 2024, issued by the Manila International Airport Authority and approved by President Marcos.
Alvarez also said it would be difficult for NNIC to remit committed revenues to the government if service fees are kept the same. NNIC won the bidding for the P170.6-billion contract to operate and maintain NAIA after promising the government a share of 82.16 percent of revenues.
In opposition, airport watchdog AirportWatch.PH asked NNIC and the government to reverse the price adjustments immediately. The group’s spokesman Danilo Lorenzo delos Santos said NNIC has to spend on the upgrades first before charging passengers more.
Overnight parking at the airport, for instance, has quadrupled to P1,200 since Oct. 1, hurting travelers who leave their car in NAIA for longer trips.
“We urge authorities to listen to the voice of the public and focus on ensuring that deliverables of the concession agreement for NAIA rehabilitation are delivered first and enjoyed by airport users before any fee increase,” Delos Santos said.
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