The operator of the country’s main aviation gateway says that strides have been made since the transfer of operations two months ago.
San Miguel Corp. chairman and president Ramon S. Ang, during a media briefing, said that with the recent enhancements in all terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the aviation hub is keen to give passengers better experience.
“This Christmas season 2024, there will be at least 50% improvement from last year,” Ang was quoted saying.
“Right now, our emphasis is on ensuring that all facilities and equipment work reliably,” as the New NAIA Infra Corporation (NNIC) consortium led by mega-conglomerate continues to work on addressing congestion and other operational efficiencies.
At present, only three terminals are in operation, as the Domestic Terminal (or Terminal 4) is undergoing renovation works slated to be completed in February 2025.
Moreover, the NNIC has also introduced changes in the set-up in other terminals, including the recent reassignment of airline counters in the departures hall of Terminal 3 in October.
Parking fees have also been hiked to dissuade non-airport motorists from using valuable slots.
NNIC, then-known as SMC SAP & Co., is a consortium led by San Miguel Corporation was chosen by the government to handle the operations of NAIA for 15 years, with an optional extension for another 10 years.
The winning group — composed of San Miguel Corporation, RMM Logistics, RLW Aviation Development, and the Incheon International Airport Corporation — offered the government an 82.16% share in the revenues, well over the bids submitted by their competitors.
The NAIA rehab project is also notably one of the “fastest solicited PPP (public-private partnership) projects of the Philippine government,” DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said in the past as the project was initiated in February 2023 and took in proposals until August 2023.
Aside from NAIA, San Miguel is also spearheading the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulacan, which is scheduled to partially open in 2027 and will have an estimated capacity of 200 million passengers per annum once fully developed.