The country’s top three airlines are optimistic that the takeover by the San Miguel Corporation-led New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC) of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport will usher much-need changes that will allow them to take advantage of the expected boom on the Philippine travel industry.

“We gather here today, barely a week before the turnover of NAIA to NNIC, filled with optimism for the future of our home airport,” said Philippine Airlines President and Chief Operating Officer Captain Stanley Ng during the Aviation Forum organized by the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines (EJAP) and SMC.

Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao said the NAIA privatization and the new Bulacan airport being built by SMC will be “game changers to address GCR (Greater Capital Region) demand.”

For his part, AirAsia Chief Executive Officer Ricardo Isla said “our partnership with NNIC will pave the way to our growth in the next five years.”

With NNIC at the helm, Ng said, “we look forward to the implementation of solutions to the needs of airlines, passengers and shippers alike” including “an optimized runway system allowing for more take-offs and landings at greater safety levels, so that airlines can operate more flights and minimize delays and disruptions.”

Also expected is the upgrading of the terminals to enable smooth and efficient check-in, CIQ (customs, immigration, and quarantine) and security clearance, passenger boarding and deplaning, and baggage services so the travel experience will be at par with those offered by the best airports in other Asian countries.

Ng said they also hope to see efficient and attractive transit facilities where passengers can connect smoothly from an international to a domestic flight and vice versa, as well as between international flights. 

“Efficient transfer processes between airlines, so that we can maximize the value of PAL’s partnerships and alliances with foreign airlines,” he added.

Also in the wish list are extensive passenger facilities that include shops, dining outlets, support services, branded airline lounges, OFW service areas, and other amenities. 

Ng said they also hope that NNIC will impose reasonable fees and charges that will help make airline operations sustainable and passenger travel economical and affordable while ensuring appropriate investments in the continuous enhancement of NAIA and Philippine civil aviation. 

He also called for efficient cargo facilities to make NAIA a world-class transshipment hub as well as enhanced access to surface transportation – air to rail, bus, taxis, cargo trucks, public transportation, and passenger cars.

Isla said they also look forward to increased runway slots, optimized utilization of runways, and safe and seamless passenger and cargo movement.

Both Cebu Pacific and AirAsia said improved airport operations will support their plans to fly new routes following their aggressive acquisition of new aircraft.

“Our country is well-positioned to fully capitalize on its potential (Demographic Dividend, Geographic Advantage),” said Lao. 

He noted that “we need increased support from the government and various stakeholders to achieve our full potential through investments in developing infrastructure. We must maintain our competitiveness with ASEAN peers; in particular Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.”