The Legaspi Ballroom, on the second floor of the posh Makati Diamond Residences, was a lion’s den for journalists, with the head honchos of the airline industry, tourism, and airport officials in attendance.
The Monday event, Aviation Forum, organized by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) in partnership with San Miguel Corporation, was graced by the presence of no less than the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the diversified conglomerate Ramon S. Ang (RSA) and Transportation Secretary Jaime “JJB” Bautista.
Everyone was thrilled as the long-awaited rehabilitation of the country's main airport, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), will finally begin with the transfer of its operations to New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC).
Just as an aside and a caution: for those trying to research more information about NNIC, spell out San Miguel-led corporate vehicle because the mere use of the acronym would yield to another NNIC—Northern Nevada International Center, a non-profit organization serving Nevada’s education and international-oriented communities.
Yes, Virginia, amidst apprehensions and reservations from sectors, tomorrow, Sept. 14, is the Day NNIC takes the reign to undertake the rehabilitation program, designed to decongest, upgrade, and enhance the gateway’s efficiency, to be completed in three major packages at three timelines.
Angelito “Lito” Alvarez, NNIC general manager, walked the EJAP members through the three main packages of the rehab program. “The project will be divided into three major packages with 4-5-and-6 year time frames. However, we intend to hit the ground running and work on these three packages will happen simultaneously.”
The first four years dedicated to initial works cover the enhancement and expansion of existing facilities and terminals, including the construction of a new one and parking facilities.
Capabilities considered for the parking system include unmanned parking and self-service payment booths. Like in other countries such as the US, online parking slot reservations will be accommodated.
And, heads up to those using the parking space but driving carnapped vehicles, the new system to be installed will have the ability to recognize license plates. I fully support and subscribe to this safety and security enhancement as it deters unscrupulous activities
Other important takeaways: On-going negotiation with internet service providers, Converge and Smart/PLDT to provide faster WiFi service, increasing the bandwidth from the current 1G to 10 G; E-gates will be installed; more flight info displays; self-service bag drop.
And here’s the thing: a new substation worth P1.4 billion will be constructed to ensure sufficient and unimpaired power supply as the existing mini-substation that should have been solely dedicated to airport usage is being shared with Resorts World.
With San Miguel-led NNIC charting a comprehensive path and experience for both the passengers and airline services, it wouldn’t be surprising that Philippine Airlines (PAL) would soon unearth and again rev up its mothballed five-star quest from Skytrax. In 2018, Skytrax certified PAL as a four-star airline.
The flag carrier’s five-star journey, the highest seal of approval for an airline to deliver good overall quality performance, was placed on the back burner as it voluntarily entered Chapter 11 in September 2021. Nearly four months later, PAL completed the restructuring of its $2.1 billion worth of liabilities, successfully emerging from its financial woes.
PAL is poised to recover and grow further. The chase for the five-star rating is likewise hinged on decongesting, upgrading, and enhancing passengers’ total experience of the country’s premier gateway. Bringing NAIA up to international standards will surely pave the way for this pursuit.
And since it will be one of its legacies, San Miguel-led NNIC will leave no stone unturned to achieve this. RSA, in his own words: “Profit is not in our vocabulary. We will do everything for public service.”
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