Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
At a Glance
- The rehabilitation project of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will address its longstanding issues such as inadequate terminal capacity and restricted aircraft movement, the National Economic and Development Authority said.
- The P170.6 billion project will cover all facilities of the airport, including its runways, its four terminals, and associated facilities.
- It aims to increase annual capacity from 35 to 62 million passengers and air traffic movement from 40 to 48 flights per hour.
- The project was awarded to the San Miguel-led consortium SMC-SAP & Company, which also includes South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corp.
- The consortium will serve as the operator of NAIA for the next 15 years and may opt for a 10-year extension.
Expect an improved travel experience at the country’s main airport, as the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said the private-sector-led rehabilitation will lead to reduced wait times and fewer flight delays.
NEDA Secretary Arsenio M. Balisacan said the launch of the P170.6 billion rehabilitation project is aimed at modernizing all facilities of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), which has long been rated among the worst airports in Asia in terms of passenger satisfaction.
In a statement, Balisacan said that the modernization seeks to elevate the airport’s annual capacity from 35 to 62 million passengers and increase air traffic movement from 40 to 48 flights per hour.
He said that the higher capacity and improved air traffic flow will be realized upon the completion of the SMC SAP & Co. Consortium’s upgrade of NAIA’s runways, its four terminals, and associated facilities.
The consortium, made up of San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics, Inc., RLW Aviation Development, Inc., and Incheon International Airport Corp., is slated to assume control of NAIA by September this year.
The persistent challenges of limited terminal capacity and restricted aircraft movement have long plagued Metro Manila’s primary airport.
“With the rollout of significant investments in the coming years, the Filipino people can look forward to shorter queues and waiting times, reduced flight delays, improved service quality, and better overall passenger experience,” Balisacan assured.
“World-class air transportation infrastructure shall be instrumental in achieving the Marcos administration’s objectives of creating high-quality jobs, encouraging tourism, expanding trade and market opportunities, as well as enhancing mobility toward social and economic transformation,” he added.
On the other hand, Balisacan commended the efforts of the Department of Transportation in leading the NAIA Public-Private Partnership (PPP) project which passed the rigorous assessments conducted by evaluating agencies.
The San Miguel consortium will serve as the operator of NAIA for the next 15 years and may opt for a 10-year extension.
It will share 82.16 percent of its gross revenues to the government with an upfront payment of P30 billion to the government and P2 billion in annual payments.
San Miguel is also currently in the process of constructing an international airport in Bulacan.
— Xander Dave Ceballos
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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
