Manila airports to start collecting $2.50 security fee

By Joel Guinto
INQUIRER.net
Last updated 06:09pm (Mla time) 01/01/2007

ANYTIME this month, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will charge a security fee of $2.50 for all domestic and international departures, the airport operator's assistant general manager for security said Monday.

The MIAA expects to collect P1 billion annually from the security fee, which will be used to fund the five-year security development plan to fortify the two Manila international airport terminals and the domestic airport against possible terrorist attacks, said retired general Angel Atutubo.

The security plan calls for the purchase of advanced x-ray machines and metal detectors -- which will minimize the need for manual frisking of passengers -- surveillance cameras, and equipment for airport security including handheld radios and patrol cars, Atutubo told reporters in Camp Aguinaldo.

"This security fee will be used to improve the safety of our
airports," Atutubo said.

"After 9/11, airports around the world have started collecting security fees as much as 40 dollars and we have been left behind," Atutubo said, referring to the terror attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001, when hijacked commercial jets were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center and Pentagon.

One x-ray machine alone costs roughly fP4 million, Atutubo said, adding the MIAA needs to replace several old x-ray machines.

The new charge will most likely be paid upon purchase of plane tickets, unlike terminal fees, which are paid before boarding, he said.

Atutubo said the security fee was proposed as far back as 2003 but was approved only recently by the MIAA and the International Air Transport Organization, a world airline industry body.

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