The San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has announced plans to reassign airline terminals at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to decongest the airport and improve passenger flow, as the country’s main gateway prepares for a surge in passenger volume.
This reassignment, along with other infrastructure upgrades, is said to transform NAIA into a world-class airport.
SMC President Ramon Ang, speaking at an aviation forum, emphasized that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is supportive of the terminal reassignment, citing it as a key strategy to alleviate congestion.
The newly-minted New Manila International Corp. (NNIC) General Manager Angelito Alvarez said that they aim for Terminal 1 to be exclusively for Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) international flights.
Terminal 2 will handle domestic flights for both PAL and Cebu Pacific, leaving Terminal 3 solely for international flights.
Meanwhile, AirAsia Philippines will be brought back to Terminal 4, just a year after it completely transferred operations to the Centennial Terminal.
The NNIC has indicated that the plan will not be executed until the eyed Terminal 2 extension project is finished, which is projected to be completed within a few years.
The consortium, which includes Incheon Airport of South Korea, plans to build a new passenger terminal to further increase capacity.
This, along with the terminal reassignment, is expected to increase NAIA’s capacity from 35 million to 62 million passengers annually, and raise air traffic movement from 40 to 48 movements per hour.
According to Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista, the project is projected to generate P900 billion in revenue over the concession period and create at least 58,000 jobs for Filipinos.
The consortium also plans to address ongoing issues, such as power outages and baggage handling, by upgrading infrastructure and implementing new technologies.
These include the installation of backup power systems, improved baggage handling systems, and the implementation of self-check-in, self-bag drop, and biometric systems.
The transition of NAIA operations and maintenance to SMC-backed NNIC is set for September 14, 2024.
Ang said that “it’s an exciting time because we are about to make history. We can begin the work of modernizing our airport and giving the Filipino people a world-class facility they deserve.”
Leave a comment