Ang’s conglomerate, San Miguel Corp., along with South Korea’s Incheon Airport and other partners, will assume operations on Sept. 14., bringing world-class standards to a gateway that often ranks poorly by global standards.
During an interview with business reporters on Monday, the billionaire outlined goals for the first year, which include infrastructure—a new NAIA Expressway ramp to NAIA Terminal 3 is being planned—new airline terminal assignments, and challenges dealing with entrenched concessionaires.
Christmas present
He also acknowledged the significant undertaking ahead after securing the P170 billion privatization contract, while noting that improvements won’t be instantaneous.
But he assured tavellers they will notice significant improvements in time for the Christmas travel rush.
“Don’t expect that when we take over, everything will improve like magic,” Ang said. “We can’t work on it yet, we’re not even [handling operations] right now.”
“By December, you will see a lot of improvements. After one year, the power fluctuations will be gone, and there won’t be faulty air-conditioning. It takes time,” he said.
SMC’s NAIA team
Ang will oversee operations while daughter Cecile Ang is vice president of New NAIA Infrastructure Corp.
Former customs commissioner Lito Alvarez will be general manager, while former Manila International Airport Authority general manager Cesar Chiong was tapped as consultant for airport projects.
Their chief operating officer will be a representative from Incheon Airport.
Better road access
Ang said SMC plans to invest P3-5 billion to build a new off-ramp from the NAIA Expressway to Terminal 3, a project expected to take about one year to complete. They have also secured clearance from road regulators for this expansion.
The group is also working with regulators, power, and water utilities to relocate infrastructure to improve road access near Andrews Avenue going to NAIA Terminal 3.
Airline terminal revamp
Ang said airlines will be reassigned to improve capacity and passenger flow.
He stated that plans are still being finalized, and they will likely begin gradually to minimize disruptions and to monitor their progress to make timely adjustments.
“What is important is passenger comfort. It’s not sa nahihiya kami sa airlines dahil kaibigan natin o ano. Walang kai-kaibigan dito. Ang importante sa akin ay how to decongest NAIA,” Ang said.
Terminal expansion
Ang said they will expand and implement projects as long as their contract with the government allows it. Even the increase in terminal fees, which has sparked criticism, were outlined in the contract terms.
“We will make sure we follow the concession agreement to the dot,” he said.
Ang also expressed distaste for motorists and businesses causing congestion on the curbside or within the terminals.
The consortium is considering imposing fines for vehicles lingering too long at the curbside, which Ang said is being implemented in some European airports that he visited.
For example, motorists or taxis staying more than 10 or 30 minutes could be charged several hundred pesos or up to P1,000 to discourage this behavior.
The same goes for food concessionaires blocking passenger pathways inside the terminals.
The latter is more challenging since some of these businesses are owned by well-connected individuals, Ang said.
“We try to persuade them it’s for the common good. We hope they will understand,” Ang said.
Overpriced food, free water
Ang also wants to remove the practice of some businesses overcharging for basic food and water.
More than this, he plans to discourage the sale of bottled water due to the plastic waste this creates.
“We will provide drinking water fountains. For those without water containers, we will provide you with paper cups so you can drink for free,” Ang said.
Convenience, faster turnover
“The priority is the convenience of the public, to make the public come in and out of the airport quicker,” Ang said.
Will changes at NAIA eventually include the transfer of general aviation to make way for more commercial passenger traffic? That remains to be seen as the airport’s modernization plans unfold.
Miguel R. Camus has been a reporter covering various domestic business topics since 2009.
