The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), notorious for its congestion and delays, is about to get a much-needed facelift. The San Miguel Corp. (SMC) consortium has pledged to revamp the airport and improve the travel experience for millions of passengers.
Starting Sept. 14, the SMC-led New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. will begin a major overhaul of the Manila's main airport, starting with terminal reassignments and initial rehabilitation efforts.
During a forum held by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP), SMC chairman and chief executive officer Ramon Ang expressed excitement over the upcoming NAIA turnover.
“This is a big responsibility, and there will be challenges. But we are committed,” Ang said.
NNIC general manager Angelito Alvarez said this takeover would boost terminal capacity from 35 million people yearly to 62 million. The runway efficiency will also increase from 40 movements per hour to 48.
Additionally, The Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary said that this enhancement operation should generate around 58,000 jobs.
Expect a new NAIA
For the first four years, Alvarez said they will focus on reassigning terminals, as “Terminal 2 will become purely domestic, terminal 1 will be used by Philippine Airlines and other foreign airlines will be transferred to Terminal 3 along with Cebu Pacific and AirAsia.”
To reduce congested traffic, the NNIC will expand and improve passenger terminals, landside and airside roads, and more parking facilities.
In the next five years of the operation, Alvarez stated that they would upgrade the terminals, equipment, and systems for safety and security purposes. This includes the passenger processing system upgrade, baggage handling, passenger boarding bridges, and electrical and air conditioning.
Subsequently, new entrance and exit taxiways, apron expansion, drainage, fuel hydrant systems, and new visual docking guidance will soon be introduced. Safety and security and new airport systems are also part of the mandatory improvements.
The NNIC also expected to integrate its new Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to introduce better equipment and systems within the airport.
Alvarez further stated that Information Technology (IT) programs will be rolled out in phases starting this month until December of 2027, as they plan to install new CCTVs around terminal 3 as well as optimize free and faster public WiFi.
To boost passenger convenience further, NNIC stated that they will refurbish existing comfort rooms, have more terminal seating capacities, better retail service, and maintain the airport’s people movers.
Alvarez also acknowledged the need to address the power issue in terminals and said that they are planning to have a new substation exclusive to NAIA.
More Upgrades for NAIA
The airport isn’t the only thing that will undergo a substantial shift. The SMC chief sought the passengers’ patience for the duration of its takeover, as changes to the airport will be gradual. The firm assured, however, that business will go on as usual.
“This rehabilitation and expansion will take time, and there will be no shortcuts. However, we will be working very hard these coming months to make sure that some quick improvements will already be felt within the first three to six months,” Ang stated.
Furthermore, a change in passenger service charges (PSC) will be felt next year. A 72 percent increase will be adjusted for foreign flights, while 95 percent is expected for domestic takeoffs.
“The airport privatization is expected to generate approximately P900 billion in government revenues for the duration of the concession agreement,” The DOTr chief said.
The government revenue share is at 82.16 percent.