SAN Miguel Corp. (SMC)-led New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) is ready to take over the operation of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by September, with plans to construct an off-ramp worth P3 billion to P5 billion to help decongest the road going to the airport.
NNIC, which is composed of conglomerates San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics Inc., RLW Aviation Development Inc. and Incheon International Airport Corp. (IIAC), has made an upfront payment of P30 billion to the government last March and is set to take over NAIA’s operation on September 15.
Ramon Ang, SMC president and chief executive officer, told reporters in a media roundtable passengers will experience better service at NAIA in three months or by December.
“It needs a little time. But you will definitely experience a better one,” Ang said. “You will see a lot of improvement by December (or) three months after (takeover).”
Upon taking over, the new NAIA operator will focus on the repair and improvement of escalators, elevators, walkalator, air conditioning and toilets.
To help address the traffic congestion going to the airport, NNIC will build a new off-ramp access connection directly from NAIA Expressway to NAIA Terminal 3.
Ang said the consortium has a secured a permit from the city government of Pasay and the Toll Regulatory Board to start the project construction.
This project is part of the concession agreement and is expected to be completed in 12 months once construction commences, he added.
As for the scheduled fee increase, Ang said it is part of the concession agreement.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier said it will issue an administrative order that will impose higher service fees at NAIA prior to the airport’s scheduled turnover to NNIC.
This will increase the passenger service charges, terminal fees, and landing and takeoff fees, DOTr said.
Aside from the P30- billion upfront payment, NNIC will remit a P2 billion fixed annual payment as well as 82.16 percent of its revenue excluding revenues from passenger services.
NNIC has committed to spend a P122.3-billion capital outlay over the 25-year concession.
Meanwhile, NNIC plans to install various systems to increase NAIA’s air traffic movement from 40 movements to 48 per hour.
These include an electronic flight strip system which is part of the modernization of the communications, navigation and surveillance systems for air traffic management; an automated weather observation system; an advanced surface movement and ground control system; an automated terminal information system; and an automated weather observation system.
