BIZ BUZZ: Naia curbs ‘VIP’ lane via steep hike in fees

As passenger volume soars at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), so do the fees collected by the new gateway concessionaire.

After implementing higher parking rates this month, the New Naia Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) has jacked up the price of its VIP (very important person) services—the package that includes priority check-in and boarding, meet and greet services as well as access to the lounge—by 10 times to P8,000.

Why? NNIC said the P800 price point makes it “easily accessible” when such services should be restricted to dignitaries, international performers and other high-profile passengers.

“For that amount, any passenger could bypass regular airport procedures. This not only created potential security vulnerabilities but also led to operational inefficiencies and an unfair advantage for those who could afford to pay,” the San Miguel-led group said.

See Also

Why enjoying life now is better than delaying until retirement

In a way, the group wants to limit the requests for VIP services so these will be available to “those who really require them” and not just to anyone who can afford to be pampered.

To recall, NNIC said that higher parking rates had also been implemented to discourage parking by nonpassengers.