Danniell Domingo

San Miguel-led New NAIA Infra Corporation (NNIC), the new operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), has increased the parking rates of vehicles starting Oct. 1, with the overnight fees for cars quadrupling from its previous amount.

Photo Courtesy of DOTr/PortCalls.

NNIC general manager Angelitio Alvarez said on Sept. 30, the significant hike in parking rates was implemented to guarantee the ‘continued maintenance and improvements’ of the airport’s facilities.

In a memo released by NNIC, the standard parking rates for cars has increased to P50 for the first two hours, P25 for every succeeding hour and P1,200 for overnight parking; for motorcycles, P20 for the first two hours, P10 for every succeeding hour and P480 for overnight parking; and for buses, P100 for the first two hours, P50 for every succeeding hour and P2,400 for overnight parking.

The NNIC explained the new rates were not meant to generate profit, but to ‘prioritize’ actual passengers and ‘discourage non-travelers’ from using the limited parking spaces of the airport.

"Many individuals, including those from nearby establishments and with no airport-related business, were taking advantage of the low rates for overnight or long-term parking. This created parking shortage for actual passengers, adding to congestion and frustration," the NNIC clarified.

By increasing the parking fees, vehicles roaming around the airport will be lessened, hence, easing congestion and traffic flow.

“The goal is to optimize parking for our passengers. While the previous rates may have been convenient for some, they created significant disadvantages for travelers. We believe these changes will create a more efficient and passenger-friendly airport experience,” the company said.

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Spokesperson Chris Bendijo said in an interview with DZBB, the MIAA, being the regulator of NAIA, would talk to NNIC to ‘consider’ and ‘evaluate’ the adjustments as the new steep parking fees resulted in a public outcry online.

Before the new adjustments, the base fare for overnight parking was P300 for all vehicles, while additional charges for the succeeding hours were P15 for cars; P5 for motorcycles; and P20 for buses.

NNIC, led by San Miguel Corp., officially won the contract on Sept. 14 to take over the operations and maintenance of NAIA for 15 years, with an option for a 10-year extension, in hopes of addressing the long-overdue rehabilitation of the airport.

The company aims to transform NAIA into a world-class facility, thereby spending P170 billion to carry out their plans.

These plans include the increase of parking capacity by building new facilities and passenger capacity from 43 million to 62 million annually.

The NNIC consists of the San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics Inc., RLW Aviation Development Inc., and Incheon International Airport Corp.