MIAA, air carriers to sign MOA exempting OFWs from paying terminal fee

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with air carriers on Wednesday, to exempt the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from paying the terminal fee. (Photo: Lady May Pamintuan/ Flickr)

MANILA—The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with air carriers on Wednesday, to exempt the overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from paying the terminal fee.

This exemption will be recognized at any point of sale, and whether the tickets were purchased here or online.

OFWs were required to pay the terminal fee upon purchasing tickets online or in airline ticket offices.

They could claim a terminal fee refund upon departure at the terminal. However, many of them failed to claim a refund due to their busy schedules.

MIAA General Ed Monreal earlier said that OFWs can still claim a refund even if years have already passed, as long as they still have the e-ticket, boarding pass and passport that they used.

To avoid the hassle among OFWs, Monreal coordinated with airlines last year, and targeted March 2017 to eliminate the terminal fee required from the OFWs by the airport’s previous management.

Several months were given for the airlines to upgrade their systems for this exemption.