Naia seen closing after 12-15 years

The window for negotiations on how much longer Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) will remain the country’s main gateway has been narrowed to between 12 and 15 years.

This was disclosed by Manuel Antonio L. Tamayo, undersecretary for aviation at the Department of Transportation, which is currently evaluating an unsolicited proposal to upgrade and operate the country’s busiest airport from Naia Consortium.

Tamayo said Naia Consortium recently submitted its revised offer, which was trimmed down to a maximum 15-year concession instead of an initial 35 years.

“We are continuously discussing with them,” Tamayo said, referring to the consortium whose members include Ayala Corp., Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia Emerging Dragon, Filinvest Development Corp, JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp.

He said Naia Consortium was asked to submit assumptions for either a 12- or 15-year concession.

Naia Consortium’s first offer had a maximum 35-year concession period since it included provisions for a new parallel runway, which will be built on reclaimed land in Manila Bay.