NNIC takes over NAIA

Anticipation reached its peak when key officials of DOTr, MIAA, SMC and NNIC gathered at Terminal 3 for a simple but moving turn over ceremony of NAIA to its new private operators, culminating three decades of attempts to privatize the airport.

Faced with a tall order of modernizing the airport’s facade, capacity, operations, and maintenance, NNIC will now take on the task of elevating NAIA to international standards beginning September 14.

NNIC Chairman Ramon S. Ang described the concession agreement as an investment for the Philippines’ future, adding that it will help the country’s economy. “A world-class airport means more jobs, more tourists and a much more stronger and prosperous Philippines,” Ang said during the handover ceremony at the NAIA Terminal 3 late Friday night.

“The baton has been passed and now it is our turn in NNIC to carry it forward to the finish line,” NNIC General Manager Lito Alvarez said.

Transportation Undersecretary for Aviation Roberto Cecilio Lim expressed support to NNIC, saying the takeover will be a precursor to a world-class and modernized NAIA. “Today, we celebrate the competitive spirit of the winning consortium, which brings financial muscle, management expertise, and the technical operations strength and experience of Incheon Airport,” Usec. Lim said.

Once the airport’s modernization has been completed, its capacity will increase from 35 million passengers to 62 million passengers and an uptick in air traffic movement from 40 movements per hour to 48 and improve service quality levels in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards.

The rehabilitation is expected to generate at least 58,000 jobs for Filipinos.

Other improvements expected at the airport are aircraft parking bays, increase in vehicular parking slots, installation of world-class systems and technology, more food and beverage and retail options, more convenient land transport connectivity, among others.