MANILA - Overseas Filipino workers will no longer pay terminal fees at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) starting April 30, the agency overseeing terminal operations said Tuesday.

The previous NAIA management required OFWs to pay a P550 airport terminal fee when they buy tickets online or in airline ticket offices.

OFWs need to line up to claim a refund before departure, but many fail to do so because of their hectic schedule.

Airline companies will sign on Wednesday a memorandum of agreement (MOA) to eliminate the terminal fees altogether, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal said.

"'Pag bili po nila (OFWs) ng ticket on April 30, hindi na po sila sisingilin ng P550," he said in a phone interview with radio DZMM.

(When OFWs buy tickets on April 30, they will not longer be charged P550.)

MIAA originally aimed to scrap the fees by March but encountered delays in drafting the implementing rules.

"Medyo natagalan lang po iyan kasi mahabang proseso ang aming pinagdaanan, may mga dapat kaming ayusin (We encountered slight delays because we we went through a long process and had to hammer out many details)," Monreal said.

OFWs may also continue to claim refunds for previously purchased tickets, he said.