New operator takes over NAIA on Saturday

THE Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) would be under its new operator, the NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), beginning Saturday, said Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

The NNIC, under the leadership of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ramon Ang, aims to transform NAIA into a globally competitive and modernized airport.

«We have no doubt these SMC-implemented projects, once completed, will conform with the comfortable, accessible, safe, secure and affordable parameters we instituted in DoTr (Department of Transportation) — that is, our transport infrastructures will provide comfortable, accessible, safe, sustainable and affordable travel experience,» Bautista said.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport

Bautista added that SMC was known for its success in public-private partnership projects.

«In seeking excellence, they provide a realistic template for superior and effective government service. This provides a high level of comfort knowing San Miguel can do that job… and do it well,» he said.

Bautista said part of NAIA's transformation is to increase the airport's capacity from 35 million passengers to 62 million passengers and higher air traffic movement from 40 to 48 per hour.

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The government was expected to earn P900 billion in revenue for the duration of the concession agreement.

NAIA's rehabilitation was expected to generate at least 58,000 jobs, Bautista said.

Local airlines have declared support for NAIA's rehabilitation, noting coordination from all stakeholders was crucial to minimize its effect on passengers.

«Cebu Pacific fully supports the long-term vision of the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp., including the planned terminal reassignments. However, it is vital that all necessary operational support and systems are in place before any terminal changes are implemented,» Cebu Pacific President and Chief Commercial Officer Xander Lao said in a statement on Tuesday.

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«For example, in Singapore, it took us a year of discussions and coordination with both parties before we moved to Changi Airport Terminal 4 from the low-cost carrier terminal. This illustrates the critical need for