Biz Buzz: ‘Fix Naia before hiking airport fees’

When the 20-year-old baggage handling system at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 conked out this week, over 800 pieces of luggage of Cebu Pacific passengers were left stranded.

As a result, the airline, along with New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC), has been expediting efforts to deliver the bags to the passengers. The issue, which started on Oct. 18, was resolved on Oct. 23 when the baggage handling operations were restored to normal operations.

For this very reason, consumer group CitizenWatch Philippines said that the new Naia caretaker should focus first on making the airport operations better before implementing fee hikes that would burden the passengers.

“Imposing all these fee adjustments while immediately failing customers just weeks after the takeover of the Naia by NNIC is clearly not the best way to win the confidence and support of the passengers and the travelling public,” said Kit Belmonte, the group’s co-convener.

“Sadly, this is yet another blow to the reputation of Naia, further worsening its notoriety,” he added.

See Also

ACEN earmarks $18M for Bangladesh project

Belmonte, as such, called for the further review of airport fee hikes, including the take-off and landing fees.

NNIC, for its part, said that it had ordered a new baggage system to prevent future disruptions.