Last night, a memorandum from San Miguel Corporation's New NAIA management was being circulated by concerned motorists. In that memo, New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) outlined the new parking fees across all terminals.
The memo detailed the new parking rates that are now P50 for the first two hours for four-wheeled vehicles, P20 for motorcycles, and P100 for buses. Perhaps the more shocking increase is the fee for overnight parking, jumping to P1,200 for cars, P480 for motorcycles, and P2,400 for buses.
Motorists appeared to be particularly upset by this change, remarking that those that frequently take short business trips or with no friends or relatives to bring them to the airport will be the most affected.
Amid the social media uproar, NNIC has released an official statement explaining this increase.
According to NNIC, “The rate changes aim to optimize parking facilities by prioritizing parking for passengers.”
Why the change?
NNIC said previous parking rates unintentionally encouraged misuse of the airport’s limited parking spaces. Many individuals, including those from nearby establishments and with no airport-related business, were taking advantage of the low rates for overnight or long-term parking. This created parking shortage for actual passengers, adding to congestion and frustration.
The new rates are specifically designed to discourage non-travelers from using the airport for long-term parking and ensure that passengers have access to the parking they need, when they need it. The new rates were designed to prioritize those picking up and dropping off passengers, particularly those that want to take time greeting or meeting arriving or departing passengers. This is also hoped to reduce the build-up of vehicles and queues in the departure or arrival traffic lanes of terminals.
By discouraging long-term and overnight parking, the new rates will reduce the number of vehicles circling the airport to search for spaces, easing traffic flow and improving the overall airport experience. It will encourage more cars that are picking up or dropping off passengers that have not yet arrived to simply park rather than idling by the side of the roads near terminals and causing traffic.
Managing the limited space
The adjusted rates will help NNIC better manage the limited parking resources and ensure that spaces are available for those who truly need them – passengers and airport users.
NNIC says the new short-term rates are at par with rates at other commercial establishments. The overnight rates have been significantly increased to discourage the use of NAIA as a long-term parking facility. Furthermore, some existing fixed-rate monthly parking agreements will not be renewed to free up more parking spaces for passengers.
These adjustments, the first in over a decade, are in line with MIAA Administrative Order 1 series of 2024 and approved through Cabinet Resolution No. 1, series of 2024.
This order, issued by the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) before NNIC assumed airport operations, is the result of a comprehensive review of fees for various regulated airport services.
NNIC emphasized that the adjustments are not intended to generate profit. "The goal is to optimize parking for our passengers. While the previous rates may have been convenient for some, they created significant disadvantages for travelers. We believe these changes will create a more efficient and passenger-friendly airport experience."
Despite the negative sentiment this move has caused, NNIC is committed to improving the parking situation at the airport with plans to build new facilities, starting with Terminal 3.