Insider Spotlight
Why it matters
NAIA Terminal 3 handles international traffic, and NNIC is positioning the e-Gates and expanded dining capacity as near-term fixes to congestion and passenger comfort during peak periods.
The details
NNIC said 78 biometric immigration e-Gates are being deployed across NAIA through a phased rollout, with systems already operational at Terminals 1 and 3, the company said in a statement on Dec. 15, 2025.
The operator said the system enables eligible passengers to complete immigration clearance in about 20 seconds through biometric identity verification and document authentication, while meeting border-security requirements. The platform is powered by Amadeus.
On the food and beverage front, NNIC will open the All-Filipino “Tambayan” Food Hall, a 6,200-square-meter dining hub that can accommodate up to 2,000 guests and showcase 17 homegrown brands. It will also unveil the Mezzanine Food Hall, spanning 6,801 square meters and designed to serve up to 600 guests, featuring 22 stand-alone restaurants and cafés.
In addition, NNIC will inaugurate a 200-square-meter dignitaries’ lounge capable of accommodating up to 61 guests.
What they’re saying
“This shows how this partnership with the government is delivering improvements that the public can actually see and feel. As we enter the new year, we look forward to continuing this work and building on what is already in place,” NNIC president Ramon Ang said.
What’s next
NNIC said it is preparing to open a new airside Food Village at Terminal 3 after security clearance, with additional outlets opening progressively, and similar improvements underway across other terminals. — Daxim L. Lucas | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
