The New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), the operator of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), has acknowledged that it will take approximately three to four years before they can reach its target of 48 aircraft movements per hour.
NNIC senior advisor Cesar Chiong said currently NAIA has 40 aircraft movements per hour for takeoffs and landings.
In order to achieve this, the new operator will implement new processes and technologies, including a program that will enable more efficient aircraft scheduling without the need to lengthen the runway.
"There will be a mandatory work with Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), whose air traffic controllers are going to be trained about the technology. There will also be a CNS scheduling system," Chiong said.
He mentioned that NNIC will handle the scheduling system, in partnership with CAAP, as CAAP is responsible for overseeing air traffic control.
He, however, said that the aircraft slotting improvement will take time as there will be other tasks that need to be completed to achieve this goal.
Aircraft slotting, also referred to as airport slots, involves authorizing an aircraft or airline to land and take off at a particular airport at a designated time.
Also, the NNIC is aiming to achieve a target of 62 million passengers annually for the country's primary airport.
NAIA was the most bustling airport in the Philippines in 2023, accommodating 45.3 million passengers.
Chiong stated that their goal is to achieve a total of 52 million passengers by the conclusion of the current year.
In 2023, NAIA managed a total of 279,953 flights, which represented a notable 26 percent increase compared to the previous year. This figure encompassed 171,605 domestic flights and 108,348 international flights.
Meanwhile, NNIC has made a substantial upfront payment of P30 billion to the government as part of the concession agreement. In addition, the company has commenced regular annuity payments, with P1.58 billion paid for the period from September 2024 to June 2025.
It has also invested P420 million to ensure a smooth transition for employees, including signing bonuses for Manila International Airport Authority and LSERV personnel.
"These financial commitments demonstrate NNIC's dedication to the long-term success of NAIA and its commitment to supporting both the government and our employees," NNIC President Ramon Ang said in a statement.
"It has only been two months since we assumed management of NAIA. It has been a very busy transition period, and as expected, we've encountered our fair share of challenges. Still, we're optimistic about the progress we've made and the upcoming improvements we're working on," Ang added.
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