The newly formed NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) is eyeing the completion of a new passenger terminal at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in three to four years to increase the airport’s capacity and improve the overall passenger experience.
NNIC general manager Angelito Alvarez expressed optimism that the demolition of the Philippine Village Hotel, a key step in the development of Terminal 5, will begin in 2025. The demolition is critical for expanding the NAIA Terminal 2 housing the new domestic passenger terminal. Alvarez confirmed the company is coordinating closely with the local government of Pasay City, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to secure the necessary demolition permit.
“Once we receive approval, we will move forward with the construction of Terminal 5, which will significantly increase the airport’s capacity,” said Alvarez. The new terminal is expected to boost NAIA’s capacity to 50.2 million passengers annually, up from its current capacity of 35 million, bringing much-needed relief to one of the busiest airports in Southeast Asia.
Ramon S. Ang, president of NNIC, emphasized the importance of this expansion. “We are committed to completing Terminal 5 in the next three to four years. Our goal is to create a more efficient, reliable airport experience for both domestic and international passengers,” he said.
Under the new terminal plans, Terminal 2 and the proposed Terminal 5 will cater to domestic flights, while Terminals 1 and 3 will continue to handle international traffic. In the meantime, NNIC is implementing a series of immediate upgrades to improve the passenger experience ahead of the upcoming holiday season, including enhancing airside and landside facilities.
Just two months into its management of NAIA, which officially began in mid-September this year, NNIC has already started rolling out significant improvements. These include infrastructure upgrades designed to ease congestion and enhance the airport’s operational efficiency.
“We are tackling the immediate issues of congestion and facility reliability while laying the groundwork for larger construction projects. NAIA has long been running above its intended capacity of 35 million passengers a year. Last year, it handled around 45 million, and this year, we expect to surpass 50 million,” Ang said. “These growing numbers have strained the existing facilities, and it’s time to address these issues head-on.”
The company is hopeful the upgrades, which are part of a multi-year modernization plan, will alleviate long-standing operational challenges and deliver a 50 percent improvement in passenger experience by the end of the year.
With the development of Terminal 5 and other enhancements, NNIC aims to position NAIA as a modern, world-class airport, capable of meeting the needs of an expanding number of passengers while ensuring smoother and more efficient operations.
