NNIC remits P70 billion to government (1st of two parts)

The New NAIA International Corp. (NNIC) has already remitted around P70 billion to the government, less than two years after taking over the operation of the country’s premier gateway following the successful privatization and turnover of the operation and maintenance of the then government-operated airport on Sept. 14, 2024 to the winning bidder.

Based on development plans of the NNIC, the NAIA complex will have two domestic terminals — the existing Terminal 2 that is still currently being used by flag carrier Philippine Airlines for its international and domestic flight operations, and the soon to be constructed Terminal 5, which will rise on the site where the old Philippine Village Hotel once stood.

As planned, there will be two international terminals – Terminal 1 or the original NAIA, and Terminal 3 which is right beside the Villamor Airbase and across Newport Resorts City. There will be no terminal four.

This was revealed during a special tour for newly elected SMC independent director Jaime Bautista, who was also the former head of the Department of Transportation and who oversaw the public bidding for the privatization of NAIA.

I was fortunate enough to have been invited, along with a few other journalists, to see the improvements that have been made so far at the Terminal 3 where domestic carrier Cebu Pacific still currently operates both domestic and international flights, along with several international airlines such as Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Japan Airlines, KLM, Qatar Airways, Thai Airways and Vietnam Airlines.

T3, it was explained by NNIC officials, is the ideal international departure terminal because it is nearest to the runway and allows for a quick turnaround for international carriers, thus improving more efficient runway usage and will enable the airport to meets its key performance indicators (KPIs).

Based on future plans of NNIC, the planned T5 terminal will eventually house the domestic flight operations of PAL and AirAsia.

Upon completion of the new T5 and the upgrade of the facilities of T3, specifically with the addition of more connecting tubes that will improve boarding and disembarkation of passengers, the NAIA complex will meet its target passenger capacity of 62 million.

NNIC, however, has already significantly improved aircraft flight movements from 38 to 40 movements following the transfer of turbo prop operated flights to Clark International Airport in Pampanga. It was explained that the turbo prop operations slowed down movements since turbo props create a wind vortex that necessitates longer flight separation distance between turbo prop and jet aircraft.

With the more efficient flight movements, NAIA has now been able to increase passenger movement to as high as 52 million last year, even though the NAIA complex was originally designed to accommodate up to 35 million passengers.

It was also pointed out that T3’s designed passenger capacity was just for 14 million. NNIC, however, last year was able accommodate up to 27 million passengers while constructing and improving the once ill-utilized airport facility.

The tour highlighted the improvement of the facilities of the NAIA T3 and the remarkable redevelopment of waiting and food concession areas for both the arrival and departure areas under the skillful guidance of Cecile Ang, daughter of taipan Ramon Ang.

Cecile is the self-effacing daughter, and the vice president of NNIC. She handles the airport development of the concession areas in T3.

What she has done, this early, has already transformed the facility and, I would dare say, now presents a mini Jewel similar to Singapore’s Changi Airport Jewel Terminal that has become the City State’s foodie destination not only for international travelers, but also for locals as well.

The arrival area at T3 has been transformed and no longer presents a first bad impression of a crowded hall filled with families and hotel and transport representatives — some even camped out and seated on the floor, waiting for the new arrivals exiting the airport’s immigration area.

The arrival area is now a more serene space with an attractive and comfortable waiting area for greeters and provides them a choice of fast-food outlets where they can comfortably sit and enjoy some snacks while waiting to pick up their arriving relatives, friends or guests, thereby preventing a chaotic arrival area where some of the greeters and hotel representatives walk around carrying placards of the names of their guests.

A designated counter has now been put up for hotel representatives to which foreign tourists can simply go to and coordinate their hotel reservations and pick up arrangement instead of having to search among the throng of greeters.

Likewise, arriving tourists can also now proceed directly to rental and transportation services while inside the arrival area instead of being bewildered and perhaps waylaid by unscrupulous transport operators once they step out of the arrival hall to try to secure safe transport or car rental services to bring them to their destination.

Two newly renovated walls covered with capiz panels now have digital screens displaying the arrival and departure schedule of airlines operating from T3, allowing for a quick confirmation of the flight arrivals and departures.

With thoughtful consideration that the greeters and their guests might want to grab a quick bite before heading into traffic, the second floor of the arrival terminal offers a well-curated choice of fast-food restaurants that offer parity-priced food offerings that are also available in the commercial malls in Mega Manila.

New escalators have been installed, providing easy access as well to the third floor which similarly offers more food choices from a wider selection of cafes and full-service restaurants for those who opt to eat and enjoy a good meal at the airport rather than going to a restaurant in the city.

(To be continued)