The New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) is launching a long-overdue cleanup operation at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), targeting 27 abandoned aircraft that have clogged the general aviation area for years.
The initiative, announced this week, forms part of NNIC’s broader push to improve safety, enhance operational efficiency, and reclaim valuable space at the country’s busiest gateway. Some of the aircraft slated for removal have been grounded for over a decade, including a Cessna 421B parked since 2009 and a Boeing 737-200 occupying 865.52 square meters of space at the North Taxiway Extension, unused since 2015.
“These aircraft not only hinder the airport’s ground movement and parking capabilities, but also pose safety and security risks,” NNIC said in a statement. “Clearing them is essential to making the most of limited space and keeping up with increasing air traffic.”
Since assuming operational control of NAIA in September 2024, NNIC has prioritized the modernization of airport facilities and resolution of long-standing infrastructure bottlenecks. In coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), the company has formally identified the idle aircraft and issued notices to their registered owners or authorized representatives.
NNIC is calling on owners to verify their claims and coordinate the retrieval or proper disposition of the aircraft. If unheeded, the company says it will proceed with removal and disposal in accordance with existing laws and regulations.
The effort underscores growing pressure to upgrade NAIA’s aging infrastructure and make way for smoother airside operations as the airport faces continued growth in passenger and flight volumes.
