SMC Infrastructure announced Tuesday that speed limit on the NAIA Expressway (NAIAx) will be increased from 60 kilometers per hour (kph) to 80 kph starting today, 15 January 2025.

The tollway operator also said that similar speed adjustments will also apply for the straight parts of Skyway Stage 3 effective on 20 January 2025.

The speed limit modifications are the result of extensive research conducted by the company’s traffic safety managers.

“With this change, everyone will benefit from faster and more efficient travel on NAIAx and Skyway Stage 3. To ensure that it benefits drivers while putting safety first, we have thoroughly examined this,” SMC chairman and CEO Ramon S. Ang said.

“This also supports the ongoing reorganization of NAIAx’s departure plazas, which should reduce traffic and enhance drivers’ experiences on the expressway,” Ang added.

However, the SMC boss clarified that all drivers will still be subject to the 60 kph speed limit on both expressways’ curving sections.

He explained that given the limitations to the design of both the NAIAx and Skyway 3, they do not want to put any drivers at risk of accidents due to miscalculation or oversteering, especially where there are sharp curves.

‘This also supports the ongoing reorganization of NAIAx’s departure plazas, which should reduce traffic and enhance drivers’ experiences on the expressway.’

Traffic enforcement officers with radar speed guns will continue to monitor and cite violators to ensure compliance, according to Ang. All traffic patrollers are deputized by the Land Transportation Office to detain erring motorists at exits, confiscate their drivers’ licenses and issue interim operator’s permits. “We appeal to all motorists to observe speed limits at our expressway facilities for the safety of all,” he said.

NAIAx is the elevated toll road that links the Skyway System to the three NAIA passenger terminals as well as other important locations, including Entertainment City, Macapagal Boulevard, Parañaque City’s Sucat Road and the Cavite province road network.

Meanwhile, the 18-kilometer Skyway Stage 3 links NLEX, Balintawak and Quezon City to the South Luzon Expressway in Alabang, Muntinlupa City and the Skyway System at Gil Puyat in Makati.

In addition, Stage 3 serves as alternate route to Manila, San Juan and Caloocan via important exits in these cities.