MANILA, Philippines — A group has asked the Supreme Court to immediately halt the implementation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) concession deal and related fee increases, citing rising economic pressures from global oil shocks.
In a second reiterative motion filed electronically on March 24, Ugnayan ng mga Lumalaban sa Airport Privatization (ULAP) urged the high court to issue a temporary restraining order, arguing that the impact of Middle East tensions has made relief more urgent.
"The ongoing war in the Middle East and the significant economic impact it has had on every Filipino's daily life further highlight the urgent need for the Honorable Court to spare Filipinos from the unnecessary and unjustified economic burden caused by the unconstitutional and illegal Revised AO," the petition read.
Fee hikes under challenge
The petition challenges the March 18, 2024 concession agreement and Manila International Airport Authority Revised Administrative Order No. 1, which raised airport charges.
ULAP said the changes have led to a 220% increase in landing and takeoff fees and more than 1,400% hikes in aircraft parking charges for both domestic and international operations.
The group said higher aviation costs could translate into increased prices of goods and services.
"Those developments have substantially raised transportation and logistics costs, and further magnified the economic burden of high NAIA charges," the motion said.
The petition reiterates earlier challenges filed in May and August 2025, seeking to void the concession deal with San Miguel-led New NAIA Infra Corp. and the revised administrative order.
Concessionaire response
New NAIA Infra Corp. said it respects the group's right to seek legal remedies and acknowledged the pressure on consumers.
"We respect the right of any group to raise concerns and seek legal remedies on behalf of travelers and commuters. We also recognize the strain that rising prices are placing on many Filipino families, including OFWs and everyday passengers who use NAIA," the company said.
It added that overseas Filipino workers remain exempt from travel taxes and international terminal fees.
The company said domestic airline operations have long benefited from a 65% discount on landing and takeoff fees, noting that airfares are also influenced by fuel prices and market conditions.
Policy context. The concessionaire said the government's recent relief measures did not cover NAIA, as they apply only to airports operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
It added that the fee adjustments are part of efforts to address years of underinvestment in airport infrastructure.
"The NAIA concession was established to make that possible. It comes with clear obligations, government oversight, and accountability to the public," the company said.
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Facts Only
Group: Ugnayan ng mga Lumalaban sa Airport Privatization (ULAP)
Concessionaire: San Miguel-led New NAIA Infra Corp.
Agreement date: March 18, 2024 (concession agreement)
Fee increase source: Manila International Airport Authority's Revised Administrative Order No. 1
Challenges filed: May and August 2025
Executive Summary
Full Take
**Steelman**: The article presents ULAP's challenge to the implementation of the NAIA concession deal and related fee increases, citing the rising economic pressures from global oil shocks as a reason for urgency. The group claims that changes in airport charges have led to exorbitant fee hikes for landing, takeoff, and aircraft parking charges for both domestic and international operations. These higher costs could lead to increased prices of goods and services, with substantial effects on transportation and logistics costs.
**Patterns**: Distortion (semantic manipulation), Ambiguity
ULAP's argument is that the fee hikes have been "unnecessary and unjustified," but the article does not provide a clear rationale for why these increases are perceived as such, nor does it specify how these fees were set prior to the agreement. The term "unconstitutional" is used without any supporting evidence or context.
**Root Cause**: The underlying issue lies in the privatization of NAIA and the subsequent fee increases that result from this concession agreement. The debate revolves around whether these changes are fair, justifiable, and necessary for improving airport infrastructure.
**Implications**: If successful, ULAP's challenge could have significant economic implications, potentially affecting airline operations, consumer costs, and investment in airport infrastructure at NAIA. It may also set a precedent for future challenges to privatization efforts and similar concession agreements in the Philippines.
**Bridge Questions**: What are the reasons for these fee hikes according to the concessionaire and the authorities? Are there alternative ways to address underinvestment in airport infrastructure without placing such a heavy burden on consumers, particularly overseas Filipino workers? How can the government ensure fairness and transparency when negotiating and implementing concession agreements?
Sentinel — Human
The article exhibits signs of human authorship with diverse writing styles and structural deviations, though it does show some similarities to coordinated arguments.