New consortium submits P100-b bid for NAIA deal

THE Manila International Airport Consortium—a new group led by six Filipino conglomerates and US-based Global Infrastructure Partners submitted on Thursday a fresh offer to the government for the upgrade of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for more than P100 billion.

Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Alliance Global – Infracorp Development Inc., Filinvest Development Corp. and JG Summit Infrastructure Holdings Corp. joined forces with Global Infrastructure Partners, one of the leading infrastructure investors and airport operators in the world, to rehabilitate and upgrade NAIA to meet the growing air traffic demand.

The consortium said the over P100-billion offer would include a significant upfront payment to the government and investments in new facilities and technology to transform NAIA into a world-class airport.

“We are ready to put our combined resources forward in partnering with the government on this massive undertaking. Our consortium brings unrivalled expertise, proven solutions and extensive capital. As the only largescale operating gateway airport to the Philippines, the modernization and long-term sustainability of NAIA is a critical development priority for both the country’s public and private sectors,” said MIAC director Kevin Tan.

“Recognizing the primacy of NAIA to the country’s economic growth, the consortium is bringing highly complementary expertise and making an unprecedented commitment to its sustainability and continued viability,” he said.

“We submit this proposal united in the belief that our gateway to the world needs to represent the best of who we are as Filipinos. Passing through our international gateway should be a seamless experience. We want the first thing that locals and foreigners alike see, when they arrive in the Philippines, to be a source of pride for all Filipinos,” said Josephine Gotianun Yap, who is also a director of MIAC.

“The consortium is confident that with additional financial resources as well as operating process and technology improvements, NAIA can help achieve that vision,” she said.