Manila International Airport Authority, April 24, 2017 – As promised, OFWs can soon purchase airline tickets with much ease and speed.
Under the recently signed MOA between the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and air carriers, OFW exemption shall be recognized at any point of sale in the Philippines or abroad beginning April 30, 2017.
“As they buy their ticket, one has to state or declare that he is an OFW for exemption to be recognized. The selling agent may or may not ask for a proof of entitlement during transaction. If no proof is shown during transaction, the passenger should be able to present one during check-in at NAIA where same shall be validated,” MIAA GM Ed Monreal explained.
Come July 31, 2017 on the other hand, air carriers will start honoring OFW exemptions at any point of sale for tickets purchased online, through telephone and mobile applications. Among other validation measures that may be adopted by the air carriers, passenger may be asked to show his proof of entitlement upon check-in at the NAIA.
Even the proof of entitlement has been expanded under the new MOA to include documents under the Balik Manggagawa exemption namely valid employment contract or recent payslip, among others. Previously, only the Overseas Employment Certificate (OEC) is honored as proof of entitlement.
Owing to the one year validity of airline tickets, the MIAA shall retain refund counters at the NAIA Terminals until April 2018. Beyond that date, refund may be done at the MIAA Collection Division in the MIAA administration building along MIA Road.
Monreal clarified that refund has no expiration and may be done through a representative provided proper authorization is present.
“This is a dream come true for all of us and a fulfilment of a promise by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte to look after the welfare of our dear OFWs,” said GM Monreal, who has vast airline and airport experience to his name having worked in NAIA since 1978 serving in different capacities until his retirement in 2014 as Station Manager of Cathay Pacific Airways.
via Ninoy Aquino International Airport MIAA
