BIZ BUZZ: Naia curbs ‘VIP’ lane via steep hike in fees

As passenger volume soars at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), so do the fees collected by the new gateway concessionaire.

After implementing higher parking rates this month, the New Naia Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) has jacked up the price of its VIP (very important person) services—the package that includes priority check-in and boarding, meet and greet services as well as access to the lounge—by 10 times to P8,000.

Why? NNIC said the P800 price point makes it “easily accessible” when such services should be restricted to dignitaries, international performers and other high-profile passengers.

“For that amount, any passenger could bypass regular airport procedures. This not only created potential security vulnerabilities but also led to operational inefficiencies and an unfair advantage for those who could afford to pay,” the San Miguel-led group said.

In a way, the group wants to limit the requests for VIP services so these will be available to “those who really require them” and not just to anyone who can afford to be pampered.

To recall, NNIC said that higher parking rates had also been implemented to discourage parking by nonpassengers. —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

ICTSI vs Maersk Group

Razon-led International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) is one of the world’s biggest port operators—and it continues to expand its footprint to take advantage of growing trading activities.

Last year, the port operator was chosen as the preferred bidder by Transnet SOC Ltd., a South African government state-owned company, to operate and develop Durban Container Terminal (DCT) Pier 2 at the Port of Durban under a 25-year contract.

This is a sizable contract, as DCT Pier 2 handles 72 percent of the Port of Durban’s throughput and 46 percent of South Africa’s port traffic.

But the deal has hit a stumbling block.

Global logistics player Maersk Group, one of the losing bidders, has gone to court to seek the disqualification of ICTSI, alleging that the latter did not meet the required solvency level, according to reports. As a result, the Kwazulu Natal Division of the High Court of Africa issued a prohibition against Transnet’s selection of ICTSI until the petition is resolved.

But the ports tycoon is not backing down. “ICTSI maintains that it met or exceeded the tender requirements set out by Transnet and will be countering this case in the appropriate legal manner,” the listed company.

Will the unsuccessful bidder succeed in challenging the preferred bidder? Let’s see! —Tyrone Jasper C. Piad

That elusive nuclear dream

Is it safe? Or too dangerous?

The Philippines will gather foreign companies in the nuclear space next month to show how the technology can be a boon to the local sector.

The Department of Energy announced this week that the government would hold the Philippine International Nuclear Supply Chain Forum (PINSCF) 2024 from Nov. 13 to 15 in Quezon City.

Set to arrive are players from the United States, Canada, France, Japan and South Korea to share their best practices in the deployment of nuclear energy.

“We are bringing together companies from countries with proven track records in building and maintaining the critical infrastructure needed by the energy sector. This forum will showcase their innovations and best practices, offering the Philippines the opportunity to learn and benefit from their experiences,” the DOE said in a statement.

“As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, each nation is weighing options for achieving energy independence and security. This forum allows us to engage with the global community while ensuring that our own stakeholders are part of the discussions,” it added.

President Marcos wants to have the country’s first nuclear power plants up and running by 2032, with an initial capacity of 1,200 megawatts.

So far, Filipino firms that have expressed interest in penetrating this space are Manila Electric Co. and the Aboitiz Group. —Lisbet K. Esmael