DOTC: Terminal fee integrated into domestic plane tickets by Aug. 1

Starting August 1, terminal fees for domestic flights will be integrated into the total cost of airline tickets, the Department of Transportation and Communications said.   The DOTC and the Manila International Airport Authority formalized an agreement with major airline companies Thursday to integrate the fees into the total cost of airline tickets.   But it clarified there will be a transition time to fully implement the new system.   It said this transition may last until middle of 2013, as there will still be a terminal fee collection booth for those who have already bought their tickets without terminal fee.   Officials of airline companies attended the signing of a memorandum of agreement at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3, according to a news release posted on the Official Gazette website. Representing the government was Manila International Airport Authority head Jose Angel Honrado. DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II also attended the signing ceremonies.   Representing the airline companies were:   - Iñigo Zobel, president and CEO of Air Philippines - Lance Gokongwei, president and CEO of Cebu Air, Inc. - Ramon Ang, president and COO of Philippine Airlines - Avelino Zapanta, president and CEO of Seair Inc. - Ramon Guico III, president and CEO Sky Pasada - Alfredo Yao, president and CEO of Zest Air.   On the other hand, the DOTC said it expects the integration of terminal fees into the airline tickets of international flights before the end of 2012.   Such an arrangement had been previously rejected by carriers due to the perceived complexity of sorting out the amount because of the exemptions granted by the government to different passenger groups.   But the integration is expected to save time and bring convenience to 70 percent of domestic passengers not entitled to any exemptions.   Only exempted passengers such as athletes, overseas workers, senior citizens, and babies under two years old, will line up at designated claim booths for refunds.   Currently, passengers have to complete four procedures before boarding their flights:   - the initial screening upon entering the terminal - check-in counter to get their boarding pass - payment of terminal fee - final security screening.   The new system enables all departing domestic passengers to skip one line before they board the plane.   "They no longer need to queue and pay terminal fees in all domestic airports in the country," the DOTC said.   Roxas said this is one part of the whole program the DOTC is implementing to speed up the ground operations of airports, and ensure the convenience of air passengers.   Runway congestion   Roxas said the government will continue to enhance the infrastructure of the country’s major airports.   From just an airline fleet population of 62 five years ago, the airline industry’s total fleet number has almost doubled to 119 today.   The government has allocated P800 million to night-rate 14 additional airports in Tagbilaran, Legazpi, Dumaguete, Butuan, Ozamis, Cotabato, Naga, Dipolog, Roxas, Pagadian, Tuguegarao, Busuanga, Surigao and San Jose, Mindoro.   The rehabilitation of NAIA Terminal 1 is also in progress.   Officials said NAIA Terminal 3 will be in full operation early 2013 once the 23 airport systems, including baggage handling system and closed-circuit televisions that will cover all areas of the terminal, are delivered by Takenaka Corp. — ELR, GMA News