In what could be the start of the major redevelopment of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) that goes beyond parking fees, New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) will start with the renovation of the oldest and smallest among the four terminals.
NNIC said in a statement over the weekend, Terminal 4 will be closed starting November 6 for a much-needed upgrade focusing on safety and improved passenger experience.
Established in 1948, NAIA Terminal 4 has not undergone any major facelift in recent years, according to the Manila International Airport Authority.
The terminal is expected to reopen in February.
The Department of Transportation earlier said Terminal 4 will eventually be closed and will be repurposed as a warehouse and site of administrative offices after the rehabilitation of Terminal 2 is completed.
Terminal 4 handles approximately 2,900 passengers each day – 1,400 arriving and 1,500 departing – representing 2.23 percent of NAIA’s total daily passenger volume.
NNIC said it is coordinating with the airlines currently operating out of Terminal 4 which include Sunlight Air and Cebu Pacific unit CebGo and AirSWIFT.
Operations of these airlines will be transferred to NAIA Terminal 2.
These airlines operate a total of 50 flights daily of which 12 are from AirSWIFT, two flights from Sunlight Air, and 36 daily flights from CebGo.
NNIC said in the next three to 12 months of operation, it will implement several initiatives in the terminals such as construction of new toilets and refurbishment of existing comfort rooms, additional seating capacity, installation of additional A/C units, provision of reliable high-speed Internet, and upgraded retail & F&B experience.
Walkalators, escalators, and elevators will undergo repairs while X-ray machines will be upgraded to standard 3. For better accessibility, and road expansion and improvements going to the terminals will be undertaken.
