The Samahan at Ugnayan ng mga Konsyumer para sa Ikauunlad ng Bayan (SUKI) Network recently called for the immediate suspension of Ramon Ang’s New Ninoy Aquino International Airport Corporation or NNIC operations which imposed higher charges for services at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. The Manila International Airport Authority or MIAA approved these increases. Furthermore, the group demanded cancelling the privatization contract between the NNIC and the state.

The network criticized the MIAA’s hike as “illegal” because it bypassed consultations. According to the group, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) will surely oppose these increases since these add to their burden. On MIAA’s directive, the traveler’s fee for domestic travel increased by 95%, from ₱200 to ₱390, while the traveler’s fee for international travel rose by 73%, from ₱400 to ₱950.

According to Ibon Foundation, no one else benefited from the increased airport charges except Ang and his San Miguel Corporation (SMC), which holds a major stake in NNIC.

Even before it was privatized, the airport already generated billions of pesos in revenues, mostly from terminal fees. In 2023, the airport earned ₱4.3 billion. This grew to ₱7.6 billion in 2024 as passenger volume increased from 45.4 million people to 50.3 million.

“The steady rise in departing passengers and fees will translate to billions in additional revenues for SMC,” Ibon said. “Under the NAIA PPP, SMC can propose additional fee increases in the coming years, turning this vital public service into a milking cow for the private consortium.”

The SUKI network stressed that NAIA, as part of public service, should not have been privatized. “Improving a public service is the duty and responsibility of government, and should not be given to profit-seeking private sector,” the network stated.