Hike in aircraft park fees looms

CEBU, Philippines - The GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. (GMCAC) is set to increase the aircraft parking and tacking fees at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport starting November 1.

This is if the MCIA Authority Board will approve the proposed revision of Administrative Order 2 submitted by GMCAC last April 30.

MCIAA proposed to issue AO3 to incorporate the proposed amendments to AO2 based on the application submitted by GMCAC.

Airline companies did not oppose the proposal during the public hearing yesterday at the Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino Mactan.

But MCIA assistant general manager Ahmed Cuizon has urged representatives of airline companies to submit their position papers should their respective head offices wish to.

Cuizon said if there will be adverse positions, the MCIAA Board will discuss them.

GMCAC chief executive advisor Andrew Harrison explained that the reason for the increase is the inflation adjustment which is computed based on the formula provided for under the Concession Agreement.

For domestic operations, aircraft category of up to 50,000 kilograms, the proposed increase is P25 to P25.20 for the first half hour and from P20 to P20.16 for additional half hour or fraction thereof.

For 50,001 kg to 100,000 kg category, the existing P206.55 rate is planned to be increased to P208.17 for the first half hour and from P47.50 to P47.87 for additional half hour or fraction thereof.

For 100,001 kg and above, the increase is from P206.55 to P208.17 for the first half hour and from P55 to P55.43 for additional half hour or fraction thereof.

For international operations, aircraft category of up to 50,000 kg, the increase is from $1.70 to $1.71 for the first half hour and from $2.60 to $2.62 for additional half hour or fraction thereof.

For 50,001 kg to 100,000 kg category, increase is from $16.90 to $17.03 for the first half hour and from $3.70 to $3.73 for additional half hour or fraction thereof.

Ma. Cristina Matondo, officer-in-charge of MCIA operations department, said these fees only apply mostly to overnight parking.  Other aircrafts are charged tacking fees for using the bridge, from $33 to $33.26 per bridge per hour.

Matondo said there is an average of 300 movements of aircraft at the MCIA for both of departure and arrivals.  — Gregg M. Rubio, BANAT News Copy Editor/JMD (FREEMAN)