NAIA upgrades hit P3.5B, face-scan boarding set by yearend

Insider Spotlight • Key NAIA upgrades under NNIC

• P3.5 billion already invested in upgrades less than a year since takeover.
• Collins passenger processing systems rolling out by September; full integration by yearend.
• Dedicated OFW Lounge in Terminal 3: 24/7 access, free meals, Wi-Fi, charging stations, and a dedicated OFW-only Immigration area.
• Added 2,600 new seats across all three terminals.
• Over 20 new food concessionaires opened in Terminal 3’s arrival and mezzanine halls.
• Refurbished restrooms, including PWD-friendly and gender-neutral facilities.
• Expanded boarding capacity with new satellite gates at Terminal 1.
• New bus gates at Terminals 1 and 2, plus 20 mini-buses running inter-terminal transfers every 15 minutes.
• Centralized ride-hailing hub at Terminal 3 (6,000 sqm): 401 parking slots, 18 loading bays.
• Widened curbsides and extra drop-off/pick-up lanes across all terminals.

Less than a year since taking over Ninoy Aquino International Airport, San Miguel-led New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) has already poured P3.5 billion into upgrades and new systems.

The rapid pace of investment underscores a push to improve efficiency and passenger experience at the country’s main gateway.

Tech in transit

Among the most significant changes is the rollout of Collins Aerospace passenger processing systems, which will allow travelers to use their face as a boarding pass. Initial installation is set for September, with full integration targeted for November or December.

According to NNIC, this biometric upgrade is expected to reduce queuing times, streamline boarding, and align NAIA with international standards in digital travel.

Passenger-centric improvements

NNIC has also prioritized comfort and convenience. A new OFW lounge in Terminal 3 now offers 24/7 access, free meals, beverages, Wi-Fi, charging stations, and an exclusive OFW immigration channel.

Across all three terminals, 2,600 new seats have been installed, while Terminal 3’s arrival and mezzanine halls gained more than 20 new food outlets. Restrooms were refurbished with PWD-friendly and gender-neutral facilities.

Capacity and flow upgrades

Terminal 1 expanded its boarding capacity with two satellite gate clusters: East (three gates, 540 seats) and West (two gates, 360 seats). New bus gates at Terminals 1 and 2 are now operational, complemented by 20 mini-buses running inter-terminal transfers every 15 minutes.

Access reworked

To unclog road traffic, a 6,000-sqm centralized ride-hailing hub was built at Terminal 3, with 401 parking slots and 18 loading bays. Curbsides have been widened and extra lanes opened for drop-offs and pick-ups.

At Terminal 3, a previously uneven parking space has been concreted to accommodate more vehicles safely.

Why it matters

NAIA has long struggled with congestion, inefficiency, and negative perception. The scale of investment—P3.5 billion in under 12 months—combined with visible, passenger-facing upgrades, signals a deliberate shift toward operational efficiency.

The addition of biometric boarding technology further positions NAIA to keep pace with regional hubs.

The bottom line

NNIC is reshaping NAIA through a dual strategy of immediate fixes and high-tech integration. The accelerated investments reflect urgency, while the Collins system rollout signifies forward-looking vision on the part of management.

Whether these investments can keep up with rising passenger volumes will determine if the country’s main airport can finally shed its reputation and function as a world-class gateway.