NAIA Privatization to address passenger congestion, says Sec. Bautista

The privatization of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is expected to address concerns of passenger congestion in the country’s main gateway.

According to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) is pushing for the NAIA’s privatization this year to upgrade its facilities to accommodate additional passengers.

“One major project that the DOTr will implement this year is the modernization and upgrading of the Manila  International Airport,” Secretary Bautista said during the post-State of the Nation Address (SONA) in Pasay City.

The transport chief explained that currently the NAIA is capable of handling 32 million passengers annually at a daily rate of 115,000 passengers. However, the current number of passengers using the airport is at 40 million with at least 140,000 passengers daily.

“The airport today is handling 140,000 passengers a day, compared to 115,000 passengers a year ago. That’s a big increase in the demand,“ he explained.

“This is one of project for the airport that we think we will be implemented soon. It will increase the capacity  of the Manila International Airport, considering that this airport is already congested with only capacity of 32 million passenger per year, but now handling more than 40 million passengers,” he said.

Recently, the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) approved the agency’s proposal for solicited bidding for the NAIA privatization and upgrade.

With NEDA’s approval, Secretary Bautista said bidders for the modernization of the airport are expecting the terms of reference for its upgrade by August.

“Many of the interested parties participated in the modernization of the Manila International Airport, or expecting that by early August we were be able to publish the terms of reference so we can invite the prospective bidders,” he said.

Once the terms are laid down, the DOTr may now accept proposals for NAIA upgrade by October or November, and award the project to the winning bidder by year end.

“We think that this project is very important, and with the support of the other government agencies, we will be able to implement this project,” Secretary Bautista said.