JUST two months after taking over management of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), private sector operator New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) has unveiled a series of improvements already made or underway at the country’s 76-year-old premier international gateway.
These improvements, which include airside enhancements, landside developments, and infrastructure upgrades, are part of the initial phase of NNIC’s larger, multi-year rehabilitation and modernization plan for NAIA.
The operator, which took over management on September 14, 2024 said its current focus is to enhance the passenger experience, ease congestion, and ensure all facilities operate reliably.
“NAIA has long been operating way beyond its intended capacity of 35 million passengers per year. It has been serving around 45 million per year, and this year, we are anticipating reaching more than 50 million. Over the years, this has taken a huge toll on the already aging facilities and equipment at NAIA, leading to inevitable breakdowns and inconvenience for passengers,” explained NNIC President Ramon S. Ang.
“That’s why right now our emphasis is on ensuring that all facilities and equipment work reliably. At the same time, we’re working to address congestion and improve operational efficiencies, while laying the groundwork for major construction works,” Ang said.
Airside improvements
NNIC outlined the various airside improvements it has implemented so far. These include the renovation of NAIA Terminal 4, the oldest passenger terminal, which began on November 6, as scheduled.
NNIC has also increased the number of passenger boarding bridges (PBBs) in operation, with six designed for wide-body aircraft reopened. Two existing PBBs at Terminal 3 have been converted into “swing gates” to accommodate both domestic and international flights.
Procurement of a new explosive detection system (EDS) was completed in June 2024, before NNIC’s official takeover. Installation is slated for the first quarter of 2025, replacing the current 20-year-old system.
NNIC also announced that the Bureau of Immigration’s (BI) implementation of a “fly-to-gate” biometric passenger processing system is underway.
Internet connectivity has been significantly improved at NAIA. Through partnerships with PLDT/Smart and Converge, passengers are now enjoying 50-60 Mbps average speeds, with up to 115 Mbps peak speeds. Free use has been extended to three hours, with no personal information required.
Landside improvements
NNIC has freed up approximately 1,800 parking slots, significantly improving traffic flow within the airport, which accommodates about 140,000 passengers daily.
Road network improvements are ongoing, including the expansion of roads and the addition of new toll exits from the NAIA Expressway to improve accessibility.
Curbside enhancements are currently being implemented to ease congestion and improve the convenience of passengers. NNIC has designated clear zones for pick-up, drop-off, and taxis, and is expanding the arrival curbsides across terminals to better accommodate traffic. Terminal 1’s curbside will be widened from 3 to 8 lanes, Terminal 2 from 4 to 8 lanes, and Terminal 3 from 8 to 12 lanes.
In July, NNIC also completed construction of, and opened, the new Overseas Filipino Workers’ (OFW) lounge at Terminal 3. The lounge provides ample seating, free Wi-Fi, food and drinks.
Power security and terminal assignments
To ensure a reliable power supply and improve power quality throughout the airport, NNIC has undertaken two major initiatives.
It has partnered with Meralco to install a 115KV dedicated substation for NAIA to enhance the airport’s electrical distribution system and support its modernization.
To further improve power reliability, NNIC partnered with Mserv to install a 6.12 MW uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system for Terminal 3. This will provide backup power to essential systems, including airfield lighting.
NNIC is also working with airline stakeholders to implement new terminal assignments in the first quarter of 2025 to reduce congestion in high-traffic terminals particularly Terminal 3 and utilize it for its original purpose — international operations.
This will help improve operational efficiency and optimize runway utilization, leading to fewer delays and better on-time performance for the airlines.
Government revenue and employee support
Meanwhile, NNIC has made a substantial upfront payment of Php 30 billion to the government as part of the concession agreement. In addition, the company has commenced regular annuity payments, with Php 1.58 billion paid for the period from September 2024 to June 30, 2025.
NNIC has also invested Php 420 million to ensure a smooth transition for employees, including signing bonuses for MIAA and LSERV personnel.
“These financial commitments demonstrate NNIC’s dedication to the long-term success of NAIA and its commitment to supporting both the government and our employees,” Ang said.
“It has only been two months since we assumed management of NAIA. It has been a very busy transition period, and as expected, we’ve encountered our fair share of challenges. Still, we’re optimistic about the progress we’ve made and the upcoming improvements we’re working on,” he added.
“There is no magic wand to fix all of NAIA’s problems quickly. We cannot solve, in a matter of months, issues that have existed or built up over many decades. In fact, more problems may crop up. But that is part of modernizing an old facility like NAIA. We’re moving as fast as we can to address both immediate and major issues, and we’re putting all our resources into ensuring travelers will have an improved overall experience as we progress,” Ang said.
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