SMC's Big Plans for NAIA Rehabilitation Project
With a goal to handle 62 million passengers every year.
(SPOT.ph) There’s been much speculation about what will happen to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) now that it is being privatized by San Miguel Corporation (SMC).
ICYMI: A concession agreement was officially signed on March 18, which grants the SMC the right to manage the 79-year-old airport until 2039, with a possible 10-year extension based on performance. It is also tasked to spend a minimum of P88 billion in the first six years to upgrade airport services.
So what to expect from SMC President Ramon Ang?
Ang revealed in an interview with ANC that there will be more chairs, better air-conditioning, but most of all, there will be a new passenger terminal with 50 boarding gates that is set to increase airport capacity to 35 million more passengers. If everything goes to plan, take-off flights will go from 40 to 48 per hour.
The new passenger terminal will be built in the old Philippine Village Hotel within the Nayong Pilipino complex, which could take at least three years. It will also provide parking slots for 9,000 vehicles.
“Six months from the time we take over, ubos lahat ng problemang ‘yan,” Ang said.
Ang is currently seeking the approval of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) before it can proceed with construction.
Also read: NAIA Terminal Fees Could Increase With Privatization
What to expect from the NAIA rehabilitation project by SMC
Often, the problem with NAIA begins even before one reaches the airport.
Ang said there are plans to build a three-lane Skyway connector from Magallanes to NAIA Terminal 3, along with a two-lane to Pasay City, to improve traffic flow in and around the airport by 2025.
And no, Ang has no plans to change NAIA’s name.
“The name was enacted by Congress. At the same time, huwag na natin pakialaman ang mga pangalan na ‘yan kasi pulitika ‘yan. Maraming magagalit,” Ang said. “Ang asikasuhin lang natin, pag-rerepair para mawawala ‘yung nirereklamo ng mga tao.”
DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista also emphasized the immediate need to upgrade NAIA to meet the growing demand for flights, considering SMC’s other project, New Manila International Airport (NMIA), won’t be ready until 2028.
SMC is tasked with increasing NAIA's capacity to handle 62 million passengers every year. However, Bautista mentioned that by 2050, the Philippines will need an airport capable of accommodating up to 100 million passengers annually.
“[NAIA] is a very congested airport with the capacity of 35 million passengers per annum but is handling almost 50 million now. We really need to modernize this airport so we can provide a better service for our passengers,” Bautista was quoted as saying in The Philippine Star.
Also read: Alleged NAIA Taxi Driver Is Charging More Than P10,000 per Passenger for a Ride