MIAA threatens to cancel contracts of 4 airlines over unpaid airport dues

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) may cancel the contracts of four international airlines for failing to pay accumulated dues amounting to P68.464 million.

But the MIAA declined to name the airlines.

"We don't want to name them at this point," Jose Angel Horado, MIAA general manager, told GMA News Online.

"We want to give them a chance to settle their bills first," Honrado added.

In a emailed statement, the airport authority noted that among the eight airlines, four have partially or fully settled their balances and were given extended access passes.

Four other airlines are currently negotiating with the MIAA to their accounts with combined dues of P68,464,673.80.

According to the MIAA, Airline A owes the government P33,602,160.23, Airline B needs to pay P27,953,895.14, Airline C must settle P5,045,728.34, and Airline D has an unpaid account of P1,862,890.09.

“The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) maintains that it reserves the right to take appropriate action against entities who fail to pay their dues,” the MIAA noted.

The unpaid dues date back to 2014.

Some of the airlines are disputing the charges on grounds that they are registered as non-VAT (Value Added Tax) entities.

In the statement Honrado said he expected the airlines to comply with the agreements with the airport management.

“More than an issue of settling dues, airport management wishes to settle differences with the airlines. The MIAA always considers airlines as major partners in promoting tourism development in the country,” he said.

“This, of course, entails each of the parties to abide by inherent corporate responsibilities such as paying their dues,” he added. – Jon Viktor Cabuenas/VDS, GMA News