KALIBO, Akla, Philippines  (PNA) – The Aklan Tourism Council will conduct a probe on complaints of airline companies on alleged extra fees being charged at the Kalibo International Airport (KIA).

Complainants claimed that they are charged extra fees at the KIA on top of the legal fees they normally pay in other international airports in the country.

Vicky Ramos-Antonino of the Aklan Provincial Tourism Council said she received reports that the extra payment being charged by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is being used to pay for services of some employees at the airport.

It may recalled that prior to the upgrading of the domestic airport to international levels, offices such as the Bureau of Immigration (BoI), Bureau of Customs (BoC) and the Bureau of Quarantine of the Department of Agriculture (DA) were required to put up their personnel at the KIA.

However, due to personnel shortage, these line agencies asked the local government of Kalibo instead to deploy their personnel to the KIA.

This allegedly prompted the CAAP, which supervises airport operation, to charge different airline companies using KIA, with proceeds used to pay for the services rendered by aforesaid personnel.

"I have asked Kalibo Mayor William Lachica to investigate the matter at the local level while I will be in charge of the investigation at the regional and national level. I hope that the investigation will clarify matters for the CAAP, the airline companies and other stakeholders," Antonino said.