The privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) may possibly be implemented in the first quarter of 2024, a transport official disclosed on Wednesday, June 7.
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* Last week, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) have submitted to the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) its joint proposal for the NAIA modernization project. The project seeks to upgrade the airport's facilities through a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme, giving a private concessionaire 15 years to operate the airport and recover its investment. “That is a very tough and tight schedule. We can say that is doable in the first quarter of next year. It is doable that there will be a conclusion that could possibly be proclaimed by the government,” Department of Transportation (DOTr) Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Roberto Lim said in a television interview with ANC. “That takes time. If there is more than one participant, we will have to talk to all of them. It will take time,” he added. Lim explained that NAIA’s privatization will have “upsides” in terms of efficiency in passenger and flight movement, and will also generate income for the government. “There is a lot of upsides when you upgrade NAIA. You introduce efficiencies. That means you can process more passengers, you can take in more flights, and more revenues means larger share for the government,” he said. The transport official likewise clarified issues surrounding the airport’s privatization, including the role of MIAA once the privatization takes place, and the airport employees. “The relationship between MIAA and the concessionaire will be regulator-operator. The MIAA will continue to operate as a body that will regulate, oversee,” he explained. “Generally, [there will be] no loss of employment. Airport employees will be offered opportunity to work when the airport facilities are privatized,” he added. Lim stressed that all airport assets at the NAIA still belongs to the government with the private concessionaire limited at an operations and management role.