What’s next for...

The creation of a parallel third runway is part of the multibillion-peso proposal of a super consortium to transform NAIA into a world-class airport.

Submitted by a group composed of the country’s largest conglomerates, the twophase proposal also involves the expansion of the current terminals and the construction of an integrated hub.

Monreal says the proposal, which has received original proponent status, is currently being deliberated upon at the Department of Transportation and would soon be submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority for approval.

Side-by-side with the NAIA rehabilitation proposal are talks of establishing a new airport, either in Bulacan or at Sangley Point in Cavite.

Some are still pushing for the development of Clark in Pampanga as the primary gateway.

Whatever the final decision would be, Monreal says he welcomes the invigorated discussions on airport development in the country.

“My personal view, really, even when I was still with the airline, is that it’s about time that we come up with a major airport development plan for many years ahead,” he says.

“There should be a master plan for the developments and improvements for the airports.

You cannot just have one or two, you have to make sure that it goes with the time. Because aviation is growing,” he adds.

For NAIA, he says the future remains uncertain, noting that some have predicted that it will only last for 15 more years.

“We will see in the years to come if those predictions are correct,” he says.

“There’s no plan to shut down the airport yet. There’s still life for MIAA, for NAIA. Who knows what the next direction would be?”