NAIA ends year with strong showing

The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) — the private sector operator that assumed control of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) last 14 September 2024 — has outlined a series of upgrades underway at the 76-year-old airport.

These improvements, encompassing infrastructure upgrades, landside projects, and airside enhancements, constitute the initial phase of NNIC’s multi-year plan to restore and modernize NAIA.

NNIC prioritizes enhancing the passenger experience, mitigating traffic congestion, and ensuring the reliable operation of all airport facilities.

“For a long time, NAIA has been serving far more people annually than it was designed to,” said NNIC president Ramon Ang. “It has been serving about 45 million people annually, and we hope to serve over 50 million this year or the coming year.”

“This has resulted in significant wear and tear on NAIA’s aging infrastructure and equipment, leading to unavoidable malfunctions and passenger discomfort,” he added.

Ang also stressed the importance of ensuring the reliability of all facilities and equipment while simultaneously laying the groundwork for major development projects and implementing measures to alleviate traffic and improve operational efficiency.

Renovation of NAIA Terminal 4, the oldest passenger terminal, commenced last 6 November 2024 as scheduled which saw the number of passenger boarding bridges in operation increased and six bridges designed for wide-body aircraft now operational.