Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) and concessionaire GMR Megawide Cebu Airport Corp have deferred aeronautical charges for three months from February to help airlines affected by travel restrictions due to community quarantines.
Aeronautical charges for sweeper flights have also been waived, according to the 6th report of the President to the Joint Congressional Oversight Committee pursuant to Republic Act 11469, or the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.
In addition, rentals of concessionaires and tenants in Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) that have been fully or substantially suspended operations due to restrictions were suspended from the start of suspension of operations until the lifting of quarantine on May 15.
All domestic and international flights in MCIA are suspended until May 15. Flights of international carriers also remain suspended until further notice.
MCIA noted it remains operational to ensure unhampered operations of cargo flights and sweeper flights arranged by foreign embassies for stranded foreign nationals.
READ: Cebu airport open to sweeper, cargo flights
Aside from MCIAA, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is implementing a one-year deferment on the collection of landing/take-off and parking fees for domestic and international flights in all its operated airports.
The deferment of payment began on March 12 and will take effect until March 12, 2021.
CAAP also deferred anew the collection of several fees and charges, including lease or rental fees from airport concessionaires. The rental holiday has been extended until May 15, 2020, following the extension of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) period in Metro Manila and other high risk areas in the country. A rental holiday was initially granted from March 15 to April 30, 2020.
READ: Rent holiday for airport concessionaires extended anew
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), which operates Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), has deferred for one year effective March 1, 2020 the collection of aeronautical fees of local air carriers.
Rental charges of all concessionaires operating at NAIA terminals, including check-in counter charges, are also waived for two months effective March 15, 2020.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) earlier said the COVID-19 crisis will slash revenues of the Philippine aviation sector by US$4.481 billion and passenger demand by 47% this year compared to 2019.
READ: PH aviation industry stands to lose $4B this year due to COVID-19
Air Carriers Association of the Philippines—comprising AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, Philippine Airlines and PAL Express—earlier sought government assistance, including waiver of airport charges and credit guarantees, as members accumulate monthly losses of P7 billion as a result of travel restrictions resulting from the ECQ.
