DOTr backs Naia terminal reassignments

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) threw its support behind the plan of the San Miguel Corp. (SMC) group to implement terminal reassignment following its takeover of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) this month.

Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, in an interview last week, agreed that the planned terminal reassignment by the New Naia Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) could improve airport operations.

“It’s a very good idea,” Bautista said.

“They (NNIC) can do the terminal reassignments. [Me too], I will do that,” he added.

The DOTr chief, however, reassured the airlines that any changes would not be abrupt given the prior studies and consultations before the implementation.

San Miguel chief Ramon Ang recently said they were studying a potential terminal reassignment of airlines to improve the efficiency of runway use, allowing the airport to accommodate more flights.

Under the concession agreement with the government, the NNIC is tasked with increasing the aircraft movements per hour from 41 flights to 48 flights.

At present, Naia terminal 1 is exclusive for international flights while terminals 2 and 4 are for domestic operations. Terminal 3 accommodates both local and international flights.

Philippine Airlines president Stanley Ng, in an interview with the media, said the NNIC should “make a comprehensive study with all the stakeholders” before pursuing the plan.

AirAsia Philippines head of communications and public affairs Steve Dailisan earlier told the Inquirer they “trust that the plans set by NNIC are grounded on sound, logical and game-changing mechanisms that will address immediate and long term concerns in the country’s premier gateway.”

Cebu Pacific, meanwhile, has yet to issue a statement.

NNIC is set to run the country’s primary gateway a few months after winning the Naia rehabilitation contract in February. Apart from SMC, its members are RLW Aviation Development Inc., RMM Asian Logistics Inc. and South Korean airport operator Incheon International Airport Corp.

The calls for the Naia’s facelift have been growing louder amid complaints from passengers because of operational inefficiencies.

In addition, travelers have also raised their concerns on airport congestion. The gateway has been facilitating an annual passenger volume of about 50 million, which is way above its capacity of 35 million.

The airport upgrade initiative has been pending for the past 30 years, or since the time of former President Fidel V. Ramos.