“I believe Christmas season 2024 will be at least 50 percent improved over last year’s experience,” Ang, the chair and CEO of SMC, said during a media briefing on Friday.
SMC-backed New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) took over operations of NAIA last Sept. 14, marking the first time a private sector group will operate NAIA, which suffers from worsening congestion.
While Ang acknowledged that NNIC had been unfairly blamed for flight delays, he emphasized that they are coordinating with carriers and focusing on targeted investments to improve the gateway.
Major investments
NNIC, whose members include Incheon Airport of South Korea, has made a substantial upfront payment of ₱30 billion to the government as part of the concession agreement.
Additionally, the company has commenced regular annuity payments, with ₱1.58 billion paid for the period from September 2024 to June 30, 2025.
To support employees during the transition, NNIC has invested ₱420 million, including signing bonuses for Manila International Airport Authority and LSERV Corp. employees.
“NAIA has long been operating way beyond its intended capacity of 35 million passengers per year. It has been serving around 45 million per year, and this year, we are anticipating reaching more than 50 million," Ang said.
"Over the years, this has taken a huge toll on the already aging facilities and equipment at NAIA, leading to inevitable breakdowns and inconvenience for passengers,” he added.
Airside upgrades
NNIC also outlined extensive airport upgrades aimed at improving passenger experience. Renovations for NAIA Terminal 4 began on Nov. 6 as planned.
Six wide-body passenger boarding bridges have reopened, and two at Terminal 3 were converted into swing gates for domestic and international flights, the company said.
A new explosive detection system, procured in June, will replace the 20-year-old setup by early 2025.
The Bureau of Immigration’s “fly-to-gate” biometric processing is in progress. Internet speeds now average 50-60 Mbps, peaking at 115 Mbps, with three hours of free access provided through PLDT/Smart and Converge.
“There is no magic wand to fix all of NAIA’s problems quickly. We cannot solve, in a matter of months, issues that have existed or built up over many decades. In fact, more problems may crop up," Ang said.
"But that is part of modernizing an old facility like NAIA. We’re moving as fast as we can to address both immediate and major issues, and we’re putting all our resources into ensuring travelers will have an improved overall experience as we progress,” he added.
Parking lots freed up for passengers
NNIC has freed up 1,800 parking slots, easing traffic flow for 140,000 daily passengers.
Road network upgrades include expanded roads and new toll exits from the NAIA Expressway.
Arrival curbsides are being expanded: Terminal 1 from 3 to 8 lanes, Terminal 2 from 4 to 8 lanes, and Terminal 3 from 8 to 12 lanes.
In July, NNIC opened a new OFW lounge at Terminal 3, offering seating, free Wi-Fi, and refreshments.
Power issues being addressed
NNIC has partnered with Meralco to install a 115-KV dedicated substation, enhancing NAIA’s electrical distribution.
Additionally, NNIC and Mserv are setting up a 6.12-MW uninterruptible power supply for Terminal 3, securing backup power for critical systems. New terminal assignments will be rolled out in early 2025, aimed at reducing congestion, especially in Terminal 3, and restoring it to international use.
