“After years of neglect, the airport is finally getting the rehabilitation it needs”
THE recent news that Clark International Airport in Pampanga has been recognized as the International Airport of the Year-Philippines at the 2024 TDM (Travel Daily Media) Travel Trade Excellence Awards- Asia shows what a common purpose, dedication, and hard work can achieve.
The awards program recognizes achievements in the travel and tourism industry in the Asia-Pacific region and sets the benchmarks for excellence.
Among others, the airport was commended for its innovative initiatives in providing exceptional service to passengers and helping spur economic development in Central Luzon.
This brings to mind the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the ongoing rehabilitation and refurbishment undertaken by San Miguel Corporation’s New NAIA Infra Corp.
The NAIA is the busiest airport in the country. Passenger traffic from arriving international passengers is at peak in December.
Statistics from miaa.gov.ph show that from 2016-2023, except in 2020, December had the highest number of international passenger arrivals. The influx of inbound passengers is not surprising as many balikbayans travel to spend the holiday season with their families. Many family reunions are held during this time.
In the past, the country’s premier international airport however was labelled one of the worst airports in the world. Airport facilities that needed repair were given band-aid solution.
After years of neglect, the airport is finally getting the rehabilitation it needs.
Since September, when NNIC took over the operations and maintenance of the country’s international gateway, many changes have been noticeable to travelers.
As a frequent international traveler, I pass through the NAIA. I have observed these changes in my most recent trip.
SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang said “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.”
NNIC first focused on ensuring facilities and equipment are working reliably. NAIA Terminal 4, the oldest terminal has been undergoing rehabilitation since Nov. 6.
At NAIA Terminal 3, Overseas Filipino Workers can avail themselves of the OFW lounge with its comfortable seats, free Wi-Fi, and snacks.
NAIA now has enhanced internet connectivity. Internet speeds are faster through PLDT/Smart and Converge. Average speeds are from 50 to 60 Mbps up to 115 Mbps in peak hours. Free Wi-Fi is available.
Operating airport systems require high electricity supply. With the country’s high demand for energy from its insufficient energy sources, NAIA has experienced power outages in the past.
Power outages affect the operations of airport facilities, terminal building air-conditioning units, baggage handling systems and lights that illuminate runways, among others.
I recall last year’s eight-hour brownout that stranded thousands of passengers with at least 46 domestic flights cancelled.
Now with the NAIA under SMC’s operation and management, passengers are optimistic such incidents would not recur. NNIC has partnered with Meralco to install a 115KV dedicated substation for NAIA to enhance the airport’s electrical distribution system, thus ensuring reliable power supply to the airport.
To provide backup power to essential systems in Terminal 3, including airfield lighting, NNIC also partnered with Mserv to install a 6.12 MW uninterruptible power supply system.
For enhanced security, a new Explosive Detection System has been procured to replace the current system. The new system’s installation is scheduled in the first quarter of 2025.
Another development is that he number of passenger boarding bridges in operation has been augmented. Six were reopened designed for wide-body planes were reopened and two existing PBBs at Terminal 3 were converted into “swing gates” to accommodate both domestic and international flights.
To ease traffic within the airport, NNIC has freed 1,800 parking slots.
NNIC is also improving the road network leading to the airport through road expansion and new toll way exits from NAIA Expressway. Likewise, curb sides across terminals are being enhanced. Curb side at Terminal 1 will be widened from 3 to 8 lanes; Terminals 2 from 4 to 8 lanes, and Terminal 3 from 8 to 12 lanes.
New terminal assignments will be implemented by the first quarter of 2025 to reduce congestion in high-traffic terminals.
With NNIC now operating and managing the NAIA, government can focus on other projects without losing much needed revenues from the airport operations. An upfront payment of P30 billion has been paid by NNIC to the government as part of the agreement. Aside from this, it has started regular annuity payments, with P1.58 billion paid for the period from Sept. 2024 to June 30, 2025.
I am sure inbound Filipinos who will be spending the holidays in the Philippines will witness the improvements at the NAIA.
It is my dream and hope that our NAIA will be in the list of the best airports in the world in the future.
(MTV, book author/publisher, is president and chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and the president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection.)
