New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), is looking to ramp up the establishment of a new terminal to serve and accommodate a projected spike in the number of passengers to 50.2 million annually.
At a news briefing over the weekend, NNIC General Manager Angelito Alvarez said that the company is currently awaiting the demolition permit from the Pasay local government to clear the long-abandoned Philippine Village Hotel where the NAIA Terminal 2 extension—also to be called the Terminal 5—is set to rise.
NNIC was met with hurdles for the construction of the new terminal amid the previous hotel owners’ unpaid obligations with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) which lent funds to bankroll the hotel, as well as unsettled rents with the Nayong Pilipino Foundation which owns the land.
The previous owner then sold the hotel to a new group led by Rogelio Serafica, but it soon shut down and ceased operations. With no other options, the GSIS was forced to foreclose on the property, leading to its gradual deterioration, neglect, and eventual abandonment.
NNIC said it was closely coordinating with the Department of Transportation and Manila International Airport Authority to urge the Pasay City government to expedite the issuance of the demolition permit.
“By the looks of it, they will issue the permit in the next few days,” Alvarez said.
Once demolished, construction is expected to follow through early next year.
Upon completion, the new terminal will be capable of accommodating an additional 22 million passengers a year and 36 passenger boarding bridges (PBBs).
“Our gateway can only accommodate 35 million passengers yearly, but by the end of this year, we project to hit 50.2 million so we really need an additional terminal capacity,” he noted.
On Friday, NNIC bared various improvements done for NAIA during its first 60 days from takeover.
Among the enhancements include the renovation of NAIA terminal 4, increasing the number of PBBs in operation, improving internet connectivity, freeing up 1,800 car parking slots, road network improvements, and partnering with the Manila Electric Company for the construction of a new substation to ensure uninterrupted power supply across all terminals, among others.