Passengers traveling this summer will spend more for plane tickets after an increase in the passenger service charge (PSC) for airports managed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
Under Memorandum Circular No. 019-2025 signed on April 14, CAAP announced that the PSC for international flights will hike from ₱784 to ₱900 or $17 per passenger.
The PSC for domestic flights, previously set at ₱200, will rise to ₱350 for passengers departing from international flights. Those flying from principal class 1 airports will now be paying ₱300
The ₱200 fee will be retained for principal class 2 airports, while the PSC for community airports will be slashed by half to ₱100.
“Any passenger refusing or failing to pay the required passenger service charge shall be prevented from boarding the aircraft,” CAAP said in a statement.
The CAAP, which is responsible for implementing civil aviation policies, said the updated PSC rates will apply only to tickets purchased on or after Monday, April 21.
“Tickets bought before this date will continue to be honored at the previous PSC rates, regardless of the scheduled travel date,” the agency said.
This fee applies to all passengers except children under two years old, overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) departing abroad, transit passengers, and passengers who were denied entry.
The PSC is a fee charged for each departing passenger, already included in the ticket when passengers book their flights.
CAAP explained that the funds generated from the PSC will go directly to the upgrading of facilities, capacity expansion, and streamlining operations across its network of airports.
“Over the years, inflation and rising operational costs have pressured the aviation sector. This long-overdue update allows CAAP to continue operating airports efficiently, safely, and in line with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards,” it said.
CAAP divided the 75 airports under its network into international airports, principal class 1 airports, principal class 2 airports, and community airports as some “may currently be functioning outside of their original classification.”
This covers the airports in Bohol, Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo, Laoag, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, Dumaguete, Naga, Tacloban, Baguio, Camiguin, Catarman, Siargao, Ormoc, and Virac, among others.
CAAP’s PSC hike does not cover Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) since its price increases are overseen by its regulator, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
Under MIAA Administrative Order No. 1, the PSC is scheduled to increase in 2026 or the second year since the New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC) assumed the operations of the country’s primary gateway in September last year.
Currently, the PSC stands at ₱550 for international departing passengers, while ₱200 for domestic flights. This is set to increase to ₱950 and ₱390, respectively.
The fee will be adjusted again in the sixth and 11th year of the 15-year concession period. With the contract’s potential extension of additional 10 years, the PSC will face another hike in the 16th and 21st year.