Overseas Filipinos (OFs) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) can now pay the Domestic Passenger Service Charge (DPSC), commonly known as ‘Terminal Fee’, right at the point of booking and no longer need to queue up at the counters when they book their flights with Cebu Pacific.
The Philippines’ leading airline has integrated the DPSC into the cost of its tickets for all domestic flights operating out of airports managed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). The integration of the terminal fee DPSC across all booking systems of Cebu Pacific took effect last September 15, 2017.
Integration of the terminal fee into fares is expected to benefit around one million OFs residing in the UAE.
CAAP-managed airports include all domestic terminals across the Philippines, except for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, the Clark International Airport and the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport in Caticlan (Boracay).
Depending on the airport, CAAP terminal fees range from PHP50.00 to PHP200.00. Passengers who are merely transiting through the 33 CAAP-managed airports are exempted from paying the DPSC.
The Manila International Airport Authority and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority have included domestic terminal fees for the Manila and Cebu airports in ticket payments since 2013.
Atty. JR Mantaring, Vice President for Corporate Affairs of Cebu Pacific, said: “The system innovation is a convenience to travelers and they no longer have to line-up at the counters to pay for the domestic terminal fee. This integration of all fees at the point of booking will make things simpler and easier for the traveling public.”
The integration of the DPSC into CEB fares was made possible through the implementation by CAAP of Memorandum Circular 02-17 last September 1, 2017. Under the new directive, the DPSC would be paid to Cebu Pacific then remitted to CAAP.
“We laud CAAP and the Department of Transportation for taking this measure to decongest our air terminals as the volume of travelers continues to increase. We also thank the Department of Tourism for their efforts to find ways to help improve passenger experience. Rest assured, CEB will continue working with relevant government authorities to continue to advance the travel experience of everyJuan,” Mantaring added.
In its efforts to offer convenience to its passengers, CEB has also updated all its booking systems to ensure that passengers who are exempt from the International Passenger Service Charge (IPSC) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) can avail of this regardless of how they book their flights on Cebu Pacific.
Since July 8, 2017, passengers who book their flights through the Cebu Pacific mobile app have been able to claim the NAIA Terminal Fee exemption by simply ticking a box before booking and payment is processed and confirmed.
Cebu Pacific passengers have also been given the option to pay for the Travel Tax on international flights of PHP1,620.00, plus a handling fee of PHP80.00 when they book their flights online via www.cebupacificair.com, or through any Cebu Pacific ticket office. Passengers who are exempt from the tax, or are eligible for reduced Travel Tax, on the other hand, can still book, pay and confirm their flights on Cebu Pacific, but will need to present valid tax exemption documents upon check-in.
About Cebu Air Inc. (PSE: CEB)
Cebu Air Inc. is the largest carrier in the Philippine air transportation industry, offering its low-cost services to more destinations and routes with higher flight frequency within the Philippines than any other airline. CEB currently offers flights to a total of 37 domestic and 26 international destinations, operating an extensive network across Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and USA. Its 60-strong fleet is comprised of two Airbus A319, 36 Airbus A320, eight Airbus A330, eight ATR 72-500, and six ATR 72-600 aircraft. Between 2017 and 2022, CEB expects delivery of 7 Airbus A321ceo, 32 Airbus A321neo, and 10 ATR 72-600 aircraft.
For bookings and inquiries, guests can visit www.cebupacificair.com or call the reservation hotlines (+632) 7020-888 or (+6332)230-8888. The latest seat sales can be found on CEB’s official Twitter (@CebuPacificAir) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/cebupacificair) pages.
Guests may also download the Cebu Pacific official mobile app on the App Store and Google Play.
Photo Credit: Pinoy Thaiyo
