Travelling to Philippines? New $17 airport fee now applies
Extra payment required if older tickets do not include new charges
DUBAI: If you are travelling from the UAE to the Philippines this summer, be prepared for a new $17 (Dh62) terminal fee when departing from government-managed airports.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has officially raised passenger service charges (PSC) effective April 21, 2025, under Memorandum Circular No. 019-2025.
The move coincides with the summer holiday season when travel volumes usually peak.
New international fee
Passengers departing from CAAP-operated international airports must now pay ₱900 ($17) for international flights, up from the previous ₱550.
Affected airports include hubs in Bohol, Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo, Laoag, and Puerto Princesa. Major airports like Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and Clark International Airport, operated by private companies, are not subject to this CAAP fee – although separate increases are also planned at some of these airports later this year.
Travellers who bought tickets before April 21 may need to pay the additional charge directly at the airport if their ticket does not reflect the updated PSC.
Domestic flight charges
For those taking domestic connections within the Philippines, the new fees depend on the airport classification:
- ₱350 when departing from international airports,
- ₱300 from principal class 1 airports,
- ₱200 from principal class 2 airports,
- ₱100 from community airports.
Previously, the domestic PSC was a flat ₱200 across all airports. CAAP has stated that passengers who refuse or fail to pay the updated charges will be denied boarding.
Who is exempted?
Certain passengers are exempt from paying the new PSC. These include overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) on international flights, children under two years old, transit passengers, and individuals refused entry into the Philippines.
The increase, CAAP noted, reflects inflation adjustments from 2015 to 2025 and aims to improve passenger services and airport facilities across the network.
Passengers travelling through privately-managed airports should still check with airlines, as different fee structures may apply from September 2025 onwards.