Members of a workers union at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport yesterday lambasted the looming privatization of the country's premier gateway, which they fear would cost them their jobs.

The Samahan ng mga Manggagawa sa Paliparan ng Pilipinas or SMPP, representing operations and maintenance workers at the NAIA, said the airport takeover by a private group would result in the displacement of 1,300 employees.

It would also result in higher fees for airport services, which would adversely affect travelers, particularly the thousands of OFWs, SMPP said.

It added that there has been no evidence from prior airport privatizations that this provides meaningful advantages for employees, passengers and the general public.

The International Air Transport Association or IATA, the global body representing commercial airlines, shared this sentiment.

IATA chief executive officer Alexandre de Juniac said: "We have yet to see an airport privatization that had, in the long term, delivered on the promised benefits of greater efficiency for airlines and a better experience for passengers. Our view is that the ownership is best left in public hands."

The SMPP aired the same fear during a picket held at the Senate grounds on Tuesday during the budget hearing of the Department of Transportation or DoTr.

Kept in the dark

SMPP president Andy Bercasio said the DoTr issued a call for bidding on 23 August, but the most affected sector in airport operations — the airport workers — were left out.

Bercasio said they are concerned about their job security, among other things, once private concessionaires take over.

He said their jobs were the subject of a call for bids starting at P170 billion.

The bidding includes the construction of modern infrastructure and airport operations and maintenance, which Manila International Airport Authority employees currently do.

He said they are kept in the dark as to what will happen to their jobs under the plan since they have yet to be presented to them by the MIAA and DoTr management.