Gov’t urged to prioritize construction of annex to NAIA Terminal 2

The government should prioritize the development of the remaining spaces at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport into an annex terminal while it is still weighing the two proposals to build new airports either in Sangley Point or Bulacan.

Roberto C.O. Lim, former transportation undersecretary for airports and aviation, said during the panel discussion at The Arangkada Philippines Forum 2017 at Marriott Grand Ballroom that there has been a proposal to develop the green path in NAIA and at the former Nayong Filipino.

“There has been a proposal to develop these open spaces into an annex terminal and we need a clarity on how to develop these open spaces. Government should prioritize negotiation for this proposal because we need space aside from the runway,” said Lim.

Lim noted that NAIA’s 31 million passenger capacity has been surpassed with 39 million traffic in 2016. To address this congestion, the government has expanded the taxiway to be operational next year. They have also installed a brand new CMF ATF to be fully operational next year with personnel still undergoing training.

These measures are expected to come up with efficient use of airspace to accommodate more activities or commercial flights and improve the productivity of NAIA.

It could be recalled that flag carrier Philippine Airlines, which exclusively operates Terminal 2 at NAIA, has proposed a 20-year lease deal for the 16-hectare property of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. that it wants to develop as Terminal 2 Annex building. This property was the site of Philippine Village Hotel and the former Nayong Pilipino complex.

These project is expected to compete the two proposals to build airport terminals in Sangley Point by the Tieng and Sy Group and Bulacan by tycoon Ramon S. Ang.

PAL plans to build an annex terminal that could accommodate an additional 12 million to 15 million passengers per year. It would have airbridges capable of serving 12 to 17 wide-bodied and single aisle jets. The flag carrier requires additional space for its growing fleet. It is targeting a total of 96 planes by 2021 from the current 87 aircraft.

Lim said the government can prioritize this proposal while it is still weighing the proposal to push general aviation operation outside of Manila is one strategy with two unsolicited proposals already pending: Sangley Point and Bulacan.

For Sangley Point, Lim said should the 2.7 kilometer runway, which is now delayed, can be refurbished to serve possibly service domestic flights and international flights after but stressed that that is more important now to connect the island first to the mainland. “But the challenge is the new manila international airport and government has to come