The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) released a year-end video highlighting its claimed improvements at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA | MNL | RPLL) since taking over operations on 14 September 2024. Here’s our take on these so-called improvements:
More Parking Spaces
One of the touted improvements at the NAIA under the NNIC is the addition of more parking spaces, addressing long-standing complaints of insufficient parking capacity. While this expansion is a welcome development, it has not been without controversy. Alongside the increased capacity, NNIC implemented significant adjustments to parking fees, particularly for overnight parking. Critics argue that these rate hikes disproportionately affect passengers and frequent airport users. The new operator defends the adjustment, claiming that most of the parking space users, such as drivers and long-term parkers, are non-passengers. However, this rationale has been met with skepticism, as many believe the price hike is a poorly disguised revenue-generating move that unfairly penalizes legitimate travelers. The backlash underscores the need for a more balanced approach that prioritizes passenger convenience without overburdening them financially.
Employees’ Dining Hall at NAIA Terminal 3
The “Employees’ Dining Hall” at the NAIA Terminal 3 was prominently featured in NNIC’s year-end video as a testament to their commitment to staff welfare. However, closer scrutiny reveals that the facility has long existed, predating NNIC’s management. The so-called improvement primarily involved repainting the walls and adding new fixtures, with little evidence of substantial upgrades or new amenities. While maintaining and modernizing facilities is essential, presenting a minor facelift as a major achievement raises questions about the operator’s priorities and transparency. Employees and critics alike argue that the focus should have been on addressing more pressing needs, such as better working conditions and enhanced operational resources, rather than cosmetic changes packaged as transformative progress.
Streamlining of VIP Service
NNIC’s claim of “Streamlining of VIP Service” at the NAIA has been presented as a key milestone under its management. The initiative ostensibly aims to provide a more seamless experience for high-profile travelers, diplomats, and other VIPs by simplifying customs, immigration, and security procedures. While such enhancements are beneficial for select passengers, they have drawn criticism for perpetuating inequality in airport services. Many argue that focusing on VIP perks does little to address the broader issues faced by regular passengers, such as long queues and inconsistent service quality. Critics also point out that streamlining VIP services often comes at the expense of equitable resource allocation, with the majority of travelers left to contend with subpar infrastructure and operational inefficiencies. This move by NNIC highlights a persistent gap in priorities, favoring exclusivity over inclusivity in enhancing NAIA’s overall passenger experience.
Faster FREE WiFi
NNIC proudly claims to have boosted the free WiFi speeds at NAIA from a sluggish 2 Mbps to an impressive 115 Mbps, with usage now extended to three hours. While this appears to be a significant improvement, it’s worth noting that NAIA had already been enjoying fast Internet connectivity from Globe, PLDT/Smart, and Converge even before NNIC’s takeover in September 2024. In addition, NNIC has removed the registration requirements for passengers to access the free WiFi, making it more convenient but raising concerns from a cybersecurity perspective. Without the need for registration, users are more vulnerable to potential data breaches and malicious activities, as no authentication process exists to ensure a secure connection. This raises questions about whether the initiative prioritizes passenger convenience over digital safety, highlighting the need for a balanced approach that safeguards users while enhancing connectivity.
Renovation of NAIA Terminal 4
The abrupt renovation of NAIA Terminal 4 has caused significant disruption, not only for passengers but also for airlines and ground services contractors. In an unexpected move, several flights were transferred from the NAIA Terminal 4 to Terminal 2, leading to confusion and logistical challenges for all involved. Ground services contractors, who rely on clear and organized terminal operations, also struggled to adapt to the shift, impacting their efficiency and overall service quality. This rushed renovation process, coupled with the lack of adequate communication and planning, has exacerbated the challenges of navigating NAIA, raising concerns that NNIC’s focus on rapid cosmetic changes overlooks the operational disruptions that are felt throughout the airport ecosystem.
Quick Resolution of Major Issues
One of the key expectations from NNIC, as the newly appointed private operator of NAIA, is the quick resolution of major issues plaguing the airport. Both the general public and the government are looking to NNIC to address longstanding problems such as overcrowding, delayed flights, and inefficient services that have long been a source of frustration for travelers. This responsibility is not just a matter of expectation — it’s also part of NNIC’s deal with the government, which includes improving operational efficiency and passenger experience. However, while the focus on rapid solutions is necessary, it remains to be seen whether NNIC can truly deliver long-term, sustainable changes, or if the emphasis on quick fixes might overlook deeper structural issues. The public will be watching closely, hoping for real improvements that go beyond surface-level changes.
Maintenance of Equipment and Facilities
NNIC’s claims regarding the “Maintenance of Equipment and Facilities” at NAIA, particularly their assertion of installing new air-conditioning units across all terminals, seem somewhat misleading. In reality, the air-conditioning system upgrades were carried out well before NNIC took over, under the management of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), making NNIC’s announcement more of a continuation of prior efforts rather than a groundbreaking improvement. Similarly, NNIC’s claim of an increased number of passenger boarding bridges raises questions — were these truly new additions, or was the operator merely referring to the repair and activation of existing aerobridges that had been out of service? While these efforts are undoubtedly important, it is crucial to evaluate whether they represent genuine improvements or simply repackaged updates that do little to address the broader issues of maintenance and efficiency at NAIA. The focus should be on ensuring that these facilities remain operational and effectively serve passengers, rather than relying on claims that may not reflect substantial changes.
Expansion of Curbside Areas
The expansion of curbside areas at NAIA, touted by NNIC as a significant improvement, has raised mixed reactions. While the added space is intended to alleviate congestion and provide more room for passenger drop-offs and pick-ups, the impact on the overall experience has been less clear. The increased curbside capacity does offer relief in terms of easing traffic flow at peak times, but the lack of clear signage and management has led to confusion, especially for drivers unfamiliar with the changes. The expanded areas have not fully addressed the broader traffic issues surrounding the airport, such as the bottlenecks at nearby access points or the inconsistency of enforcement regarding unauthorized parking. Without further enhancements to the surrounding infrastructure and better traffic management, the curbside expansion might only offer a temporary fix to a much larger problem.
Road Widening Around the NAIA
The “Road Widening Around NAIA” initiative, presented as a much-needed improvement to ease congestion, has sparked concerns about the long-term implications for passengers. While expanding the roadways around the airport may help improve traffic flow in the short term, it seems that the new airport management, under NNIC, is preparing to shift the burden of this infrastructure upgrade onto the flying public. Given that San Miguel Corporation (SMC) operates the Skyway, which connects to the airport’s road network, there are growing fears that the widened roads may soon be incorporated into tollways, forcing travelers to pay additional fees to access the airport. This move, if realized, could add yet another financial burden to the already expensive cost of air travel, particularly for those who frequently use the airport. Instead of solely focusing on road expansion, the public would expect a more comprehensive approach that includes affordable and efficient transportation options, without turning basic access to the airport into a profit-making venture for the operator. The NNIC is led by SMC.
Transportation Hub at NAIA Terminal 3
The establishment of a “Transportation Hub at Terminal 3” is one of the touted improvements under NNIC’s management, but it has faced criticism from both passengers and ride-hailing drivers. While the hub is designed to centralize and streamline passenger pickup, it has unintentionally led to more complications. Social media posts have been flooding with complaints from travelers, attributing the frequent cancellation of rides to the new system. Ride-hailing drivers are now required to navigate around the airport’s congested outer lanes to access the hub, leading to longer wait times and increased frustration. This detour through heavy traffic not only makes the ride more time-consuming but also results in higher cancellation rates. Rather than improving convenience, the transportation hub seems to have exacerbated the inefficiency of getting in and out of the airport, raising questions about whether the change was fully thought out from the perspective of both passengers and service providers.
Stable and Reliable Power
NNIC’s claim of installing an “express feeder system” at NAIA to enhance power reliability appears to be a misrepresentation, as the airport had already benefited from robust power infrastructure, including dedicated substations and feeder systems managed by Meralco before their takeover. The recent partnership between NNIC and Meralco involves constructing a new 115 kV – 34.5 kV gas-insulated substation to improve the power supply to NAIA’s four terminals. This new substation will complement Meralco’s existing NAIA Terminal 3 substation, providing two 83-megavolt-amperes (MVA) transformer banks and six 34.5 kV underground feeders for enhanced reliability and redundancy. While this new substation is a significant enhancement, it is inaccurate to attribute the entire improvement solely to NNIC’s efforts, as the groundwork for a stable power supply at NAIA was laid long before their involvement. These developments are part of an ongoing collaboration between NNIC and Meralco to further strengthen the airport’s electrical infrastructure.
OFW Lounge at NAIA Terminal 3
The “OFW Lounge at Terminal 3,” recently highlighted as a new addition under NNIC’s management, overlooks a significant fact: the Philippine government had already inaugurated a similar facility earlier in 2024. The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), in partnership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), Bureau of Customs (BoC), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr), had already launched the OFW lounge as part of a broader initiative to improve the welfare of overseas Filipino workers. This lounge was designed to provide a comfortable and convenient space for OFWs before departure, offering various services such as free WiFi, refreshments, and assistance with immigration and customs procedures. While the lounge’s continued operation is crucial for supporting OFWs, NNIC’s recent claim of it being a “new improvement” seems to overlook the fact that it was already up and running before their takeover, raising questions about the actual contributions of the new management in this area.
While NNIC’s claims of improvements at NAIA since its takeover on 14 September 2024 may seem promising on the surface, a closer look reveals that many of these changes are either continuations of previous efforts or initiatives that lack substantial innovation. From air-conditioning upgrades and enhanced power systems to the expansion of curbside areas and the establishment of a transportation hub, many of these projects were already in motion before NNIC’s involvement, with some even raising concerns about their true impact on passengers and airport operations. As a new year arrives, the public remains hopeful that NNIC will address not just cosmetic improvements, but also the deeper, operational challenges that have long plagued the NAIA. The true measure of success will lie in whether these improvements lead to lasting, tangible benefits for both travelers and airport workers, rather than merely offering short-term fixes that fail to address the root causes of inefficiency.