NAIA Consortium gets original proponent status

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) have granted to the NAIA Consortium original proponent status (OPS) for its proposal to rehabilitate, upgrade, expand, operate, and maintain the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for 15 years.

The NAIA consortium is composed of seven of the largest conglomerates in the country, namely, Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

This OPS is the first step in the NAIA receiving an upgrade to improve the passenger experience for Manila’s international gateway airport.

The unsolicited proposal, which was submitted to the DOTr and to the MIAA last Feb. 12, aims to transform NAIA into a regional airport hub and expand its capacity to meet the anticipated growth in passenger traffic from the strong economies of the Philippines and the region.

“We are very grateful to the DOTr and MIAA for granting the consortium the OPS as it triggers a series of steps we need to work on to make this project happen. The NAIA Consortium looks forward to working closely with the DOTr and MIAA to progress this initiative. We are committed to see this project through and to follow the proper legal processes,” shared Jimbo Reverente, NAIA consortium spokesperson.

The P102-billion proposal involves expanding and interconnecting the existing terminals of NAIA, upgrading airside facilities, developing commercial facilities to increase airline and airport efficiencies, enhancing passenger comfort and experience, and elevating the status of NAIA as the country’s premier international gateway.

These improvements will be implemented by the consortium with minimal disruption to ongoing airport operations. /