MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) have granted original proponent status to the NAIA Consortium on the proposed PHP102-billion rehabilitation of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for 15 years.
The initiative aims to transform NAIA into a regional airport facility and to expand its capacity to meet rising passenger demands.
The NAIA Consortium said improvements in airport operations will be felt as early as the third year of the rehabilitation work.
“We are very grateful to the DOTr and MIAA for granting the consortium the OPS as it triggers a series of steps we need to work on to make this project happen. The NAIA Consortium looks forward to working closely with the DOTr and MIAA to progress this initiative. We are committed to see this project through and to follow the proper legal processes,” NAIA Consortium spokesperson Jose Emmanuel Reverente said in a statement Thursday.
“We remain focused on our commitment to deliver to our country a significantly improved NAIA and are prepared to start work immediately after the airport is turned over to the consortium. Our fellow Filipinos can expect a better airport experience as early as the third year from the time we commence rehabilitation work,” he added.
The proposal involves the expansion and interconnection of the existing NAIA terminals, upgrade of airside facilities, development of commercial facilities to ensure efficient airline and airport operations, enhancing passenger comfort and experience, and elevating the status of NAIA as the country’s premier international gateway.
This will now be endorsed to the National Economic and Development Authority for approval. If approved, this will undergo a Swiss Challenge wherein other companies may submit their bid offers to match what is being offered by the original proponent.
The NAIA Consortium consists of seven companies – Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc.; AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp.; Alliance Global Group, Inc.; Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp.; Filinvest Development Corp.; JG Summit Holdings, Inc.; and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.
Currently, the four terminals at the NAIA can only accommodate 31 million passengers annually based on its design capacity, yet at least 42 million passengers actually use their terminals, according to the MIAA. (PR/PNA)
