The Asian Business Aviation Association (AsBAA) has welcomed the increase in user fees by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

The last increase of user fees of the Philippine Government was 25 years ago, and AsBAA believes it is time that fees were adjusted to reflect the tasks CAAP must perform to uphold international standards of aviation safety.

With the increase, CAAP can now hire additional qualified and trained flight operations and airworthiness inspectors and train them to develop and improve systems in keeping with ever-evolving international safety standards. In AsBAA's view, any such hiring and training can take place well ahead of the fee increase.

CAAP should also be able to implement the new fees on a staggered basis as the improved services and qualified and trained personnel come online and are made available for improved safety standards in the Philippines.