San Miguel-led New NAIA Infra Corporation (NNIC), the private entity assuming management of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on September 14, assured the public that airport operations will continue as usual upon their takeover.
In a statement, the firm said “Any future changes or improvements, including terminal reassignments, will be implemented gradually and strategically.”
Speaking at the recent Aviation Forum hosted by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP), NNIC General Manager Angelito Alvarez emphasized that terminal reassignments will not be a sudden, one-time event.
Instead, it will be a carefully planned and phased process to be done in close coordination with airline stakeholders. These changes are part of a broader plan to modernize the airport and elevate the overall passenger experience.
He added that NAIA travelers can expect a smooth transition with minimal disruptions as NNIC will focus on gradual improvements and phased terminal changes over time.
Airlines have expressed concern during and after the forum over how the transition will be implemented.
AirAsia Philippines said it is waiting for “further thorough consultation with NNIC and other airport stakeholders on the plans to be implemented at the airport.”
The airline noted that it operates domestic flights via Terminal 2 (from Terminal 4) and Terminal 3 for international after it underwent Terminal reassignment last year as part of the MIAA Schedule and Terminal Assignment Rationalization (STAR) program.
Under current plans, its domestic operations will be reassigned back to Terminal 4.
“Such terminal reassignment requires careful planning, including time and motion studies, consideration of environmental factors, and adequate time for implementation to minimize disruptions, especially as we are also nearing the peak season.
“In fully supporting NNIC’s great plans for NIAA, we trust that optimizing airport utilization will benefit everyone involved, especially our passengers who deserve the best experience possible,” it added.
Cebu Pacific Air also asked NNIC to ensure that all necessary operational support and systems are in place before any terminal changes are implemented.
It noted that, while it fully supports the long-term vision of NNIC, including the planned terminal re-assignments, it is vital that preparations are made for a seamless transition.
So that there is minimal disruption to passengers, Cebu Pacific said “a thorough consultative process and sufficient preparation time are essential for every terminal transfer.”
“In Singapore, it took us a year of discussions and coordination with both parties before we moved to Changi Airport Terminal 4 from the low-cost carrier terminal.
“This illustrates the critical need for comprehensive planning and cooperation in such transitions,” the carrier explained.
It noted that, “Ultimately, what matters most is ensuring minimal disruption for passengers, especially during peak travel periods like Christmas, which is the busiest time of year for us.”
NNIC will begin a major overhaul of the Manila's main airport, starting with terminal reassignments and initial rehabilitation efforts.
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.
For the first four years, Alvarez said they will focus on reassigning terminals, as “Terminal 2 will become purely domestic (PAL and Cebu Pacific), terminal 1 will be used by Philippine Airlines (international) 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.
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 said 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.