Manila International Airport

[Arianespace]

In the meantime,

New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) has partnered with Collins Aerospace, a global leader in airport technology, to modernize and improve the overall passenger experience at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In a statement, the NNIC said its partnership with Collins Aerospace "will introduce advanced systems designed to streamline airport operations and align NAIA with international aviation standards."

The NNIC, operator of the country's main gateway, said its modernization project with Collins Aerospace will begin in May 2025 and is set for completion by September 2025.

"Collins Aerospace, known for its cutting-edge airport solutions, will lead a full systems overhaul at NAIA," it said.

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/money/companies/938432/nnic-taps-collins-aerospace-to-modernize-naia/story/

[Arianespace]

Since Vince take over, there has been recent pauses of earlier decisions, or shall we say U turn? In guise of disenfranchisement. When in truth, its the politicians turboprop that gets affected. Romualdez would not want that.

MANILA, Philippines — The government will review its plan to remove turboprops from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in light of concerns that certain provinces may be cut off from Metro Manila.

The Manila Slot Coordination Committee, which includes the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), will reassess its order instructing airlines to pull their turboprops out of NAIA starting March 30.

MIAA general manager Eric Jose Ines said the committee has welcomed new members recently following the appointment of Vince Dizon as transport chief.

Ines said the committee has to let Dizon decide if he wants the turboprop ban to proceed. Dizon may get insights from the new undersecretary for aviation, Jim Sydiongco, who was also added as a member of NAIA’s slot regulator.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/03/11/2427393/turboprop-ban-naia-review

Hugas kamay. I already know Jim's answer. He told me awhile back. Guess who propose exactly those. He is in this picture. As for Vince? Lets see if he takes advice, or succumb to powerful forces that makes office in Batasan. Remember, they still have to approve his appointment. I did tell you this before.

You still didn't see a pattern here?

[seven13]

The Old Domestic Terminal has been demolished already.

[Arianespace]

As I was sayin,

Updating operations and costs
DEMAND AND SUPPLY - Boo Chanco

When San Miguel Corp. (SMC) took over NAIA management, they uncovered many long-neglected problems. The parking area is a good example. It was always difficult to get parking space at Terminal 3 and the new management found out why. There were cars abandoned for years and the parking rates were so low that the residents of nearby condos used the airport for overnight parking. After the right moves were made, it is a lot easier now to find parking there.

Sweetheart deals were uncovered on rentals or leases that drastically reduced potential income for the airport. A government corporation leased land from the airport authority which it was subleasing at tremendous profit. They have three lease contracts, the first is for 20,000 square meters at a ridiculous 20 centavos per sqm and subleased to Cebu Pacific for P314 per sqm. The second is for 2,555 sqm, leased at 20 centavos per sqm and subleased to Airbus Helicopters for P309 per sqm (hangar), P103 per sqm for ramp and P361 per sqm for office space. Another contract is for 5,723 sqm at 60 centavos per sqm.

These extremely low lease rates remained unchanged since 1974 or for 50 years. Just imagine how much money MIAA lost through the years for those highly commercial lots on Domestic Airport Road. Market rates should have been charged with no exceptions.

Inside the terminals, food and other concessions pay P1,200 per sqm and there are reports that some locators pay as little as P60 to P700 per sqm. SMC raised this to P1,600 per sqm.

The tenants should be paying mall rates of at least P4,500 per sqm because airport terminals provide prime selling space and with foot traffic similar to malls, or even more.

There were also initial complaints about the increase in landing fees for the airlines. But it was explained to them that the rates were just adjusted to regional levels. ADB did the study on the airport management privatization that included recommendations on what the landing rates should be. The ADB recommendation was included in the bidding papers used by SMC and the other bidders in computing their bid rate.

The owners of PAL and Cebu Pacific knew the landing rates would increase because they were part of the losing consortium. In the end, they accepted the new rates. NAIA can’t be charging the lowest rate in the region forever.

So, why is Lufthansa complaining about the new lease rates? And why is the government so afraid that they may leave? We should go ahead and take Lufthansa’s bluff.

There are at least five other international aviation companies waiting in the wings, ready to take over the day after Lufthansa leaves, and absorb all the workers so no one will lose their job.

Lufthansa is angry that their lease will increase when their contract expires mid-year. Land lease in NAIA was raised to P710 per sqm per month. Lufthansa had been paying only P23 per square meter per month for 25 years. Even in Clark, the lease there is P450 per sqm per month. Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Air Asia and a couple of Middle Eastern airlines have sent word they are ready to pay the new rates should Lufthansa leave. That means Lufthansa is underpaying.

Lufthansa’s threat to leave is an empty one. It loves the Philippines and its aviation services market. It recently invested a million dollars to put up line maintenance in General Santos airport for domestic carriers.

Our government should not be pressured by Lufthansa. It would be unfair to San Miguel if the government forces them to accommodate Lufthansa’s demand. The consortium submitted its bid based on assumptions in the term sheet provided by our government. It will send a bad signal to investors that contracts signed by our government mean nothing because changes can be done on a whim.

Our government should have learned from the PIATCO case where it lost big time in the Supreme Court because of unilateral changes to signed contract terms. If the government wants to indulge Lufthansa, it must do so outside of the terms of the PPP contract. If they force San Miguel to grant a discount, San Miguel can very well ask for a change of its committed fees to the government. And then the other bidders will also raise questions if San Miguel is allowed to reduce its contracted commitments.

It opens a can of worms. If Lufthansa gets its discount, from San Miguel or from the government, the local airlines already paying the increased rates on their NAIA leases will demand equal treatment.

https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/03/12/2427660/updating-operations-and-costs

Me thinks, it has something to do with the plane that brought Duterte to the Hague. Guess which company is the common denominator to all these demands?

[romantic_guy08]

[Arianespace]

Naia operator decides to relocate Terminal 4

MANILA, Philippines — Terminal 4 of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) will be rebuilt at another site as the private operator of the country’s main gateway found it to have become a major safety hazard.

Instead, the new Naia Terminal 4 will be constructed on the land where the former international cargo terminal stands, which is located between the airport’s Terminal 1 and Terminal 2.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2052560/naia-operator-decides-to-relocate-terminal-4

This was actually Terminal 2 west extension annex in the original plan floated in 2018, similar to the north extension annex now claimed to be Terminal 5. The tarmac in front is already utilized by PAL and now turboprops operations from T4 operators as described in the previous pages.

[filipinoavgeek]

I'm getting mixed reports from the news sources. Are they just gonna convert the cargo building into a new terminal (as one news report suggested), or are they gonna demolish that and build the new Terminal 4/expand Terminal 2 there? If it's the former then it seems very short-sighted since they could just build a proper terminal/expansion there (either of T1 or T2).

[Arianespace]

Terminal 1 cannot be expanded or modified because it is a cultural heritage site. We already discussed that in the previous posts.

There is no concrete plan as to how the extension would look like for Terminal 2, as they were all proposal, but they also planned extension on the western side of NAIA 2 with the installation of 1 additional gate at bay 30, while the rest ie bay 17-28 are all remote to be connected by walkway to PAL cargo terminal and all the way to T1.

I surmise it would be demolished for airside setbacks and bigger T2 annex. At least that was the plan floated during Tugade's time. It would still be cargo on ground, pre-departure on second floor, and offices on third floor. I'm not sure if this proposed annex would have a gate or separate baggage collection because what makes terminal independent is the separate checked-in and baggage collection system. My guess is that it would still be at T2, as this is annex building only.

I'm not sure on the fate of the cargo building behind the fuel depot too and the fuel depot itself, but i think the cargo building would still be demolished leaving the depot behind.

Since NNIC takeover, RSA said the depot would be relocated, then that completes the picture. After all, Petron owns that facility. And Petron is under SMC.

[JNC03]

SMC commissioned these plans in 2012; will they continue them?

[Arianespace]

I don't think so. The T2 North and West Annexes is linear as presented in their bid. What is mandatory is that it should be linear as what was presented here. What is not mandatory is how the terminal should look like so what you see here may not be the ones actually constructed. What separates a terminal from annex or extension is the provisions for different pre-departure and arrival facilities. From their bid it still states Terminal 2 expansion. Meaning, one centralize pre-departure and arrivals. That is why it is still called an extension, like extending a house.

[JNC03]

Nice for a LCC like 5J

[JNC03]

In speaking of T4 it is now demolished and thats where the A319ACJ parked earlier upon arrival from Japan

The stairs are also covered with roof so the persons deplaning cannot be seen by anyone passing by outside

[Arianespace]

To keep Lufthansa in NAIA, DOTr open to flexible lease

“We are in the process of talking and working with Lufthansa, but suffice it to say we are trying to find a solution. Lufthansa is important for the Philippine aviation sector, so we are going to do everything that we can to make sure Lufthansa stays in the Philippines,” Dizon told The STAR.

There are worries that LTP may pack up its operations at NAIA if it fails to secure a preferential rate. NAIA was turned over to a private operator last year, and the concession led to price hikes.


Under the Manila International Airport Authority’s Administrative Order (AO) 1, Series of 2024, land lease at NAIA was increased to P710 per square meter per month.

LTP currently pays a monthly lease of just P14 million as provided in its 25-year deal with the government, but that agreement is set to expire this year.

Since LTP manages a 226,000-sqm base at the MacroAsia Special Economic Zone in NAIA, its lease will go up by 11 times to over P160 million per month if AO 1 is applied.

--

Although nothing is final yet, Department of Transportation Undersecretary Jim Sydiongco said the DOTr is trying to find a way to address LTP’s issues on lease. But the DOTr wants to honor the contract signed with NAIA operator New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC).

One of the options being explored by the DOTr is spreading out the lease hike in such a manner that LTP can keep up financially and NNIC still recovers its investments in NAIA.

“There could be other creative ways of implementing [the lease increase]. It could be staggered, it could be different things. All of this will undergo proper consultation with NNIC and be subject to the approval of the (DOTr) secretary,” Sydiongco said.
https://www.philstar.com/business/2025/04/28/2438790/keep-lufthansa-naia-dotr-open-flexible-lease

In short, amending the contract with NNIC. A big no-no in government transactions. Are they out of their mind this early? I sure hope not. Should DOtr peeps proceed with this idea, they will end up facing multiple problems and lawsuit similar with what happen to PIATCO, after Erap modified the terms of the contract.

It's very clear that LT group, which happen to own LTP, is trying to leverage its hand in this administration, by providing the President plenty of concessions. You know na what they are.

Knowing him, I think Vince will resign if this idea is forced upon his throat. Right now he is just playing politics. And so does Jim, his deputy. I know them as honorable people. Saying yes would remove their honor forever.

But who knows, there is always a price for saying yes. One great thing about JJB is that he stood his ground against the interest of his previous employer in favor of the government, and he was shown the door. And for that I admired him truly. But of course few people knew that story.

[AirlineAddict]

(Long time reader… first time post)

To avoid modifying the NNIC contract, could the Philippine government give additional incentives to LTP to offset the AO1 rate increases (e.g., tax)?

The government received the windfall from NNIC. They should make the investment directly for LTP to remain.

[Arianespace]

Before anyone forgets, the fees are dictated by government. To say that it was SMC idea is being misled. NNIC just implemented it. Now to the question, they could. But that requires acts of Congress. I'm sure they could work out a plan like tax exemption. But that is one tough hill to climb. Because it will then become unfair competition. As it loses the logic of competitive bids. And for that lawsuit follows against the government. Everything will be downhill from there.

Remember too, it took a Duterte Presidency to claim debt payment from PAL incurred since Cory Aquino time. And who owns that airline again?

[filipinoavgeek]

Was at Terminal 3's domestic baggage claim area a few days ago and it was really dark! It was around 3:30 pm or 4 pm. Is it normally that dark there? NNIC probably needs to work on that. The difference between NAIA and MCIA T1 feels like night and day.

[filipinoavgeek]

https://news.alaskaair.com/mileage-plan/alaska-airlines-welcomes-philippine-airlines/

Another Oneworld partnership after the American Airlines and Qatar Airways codeshare. Does this mean that PR is finally leaning towards Oneworld and is on a path to joining it?

[Arianespace]

Alaska Airlines deal were brought by the merger of Hawaiian to which PAL has existing code-shares. Under US DOT application, Alaska has to respect this agreement, among other things.

[filipinoavgeek]

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2058846/palace-on-naia-bollards

Heads are gonna roll after the tragedy.

[Arianespace]

NNIC to clear 27 abandoned aircraft at NAIA

New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) is initiating the process to clear 27 abandoned aircraft located in the general aviation area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), as part of ongoing efforts to enhance safety, streamline airside operations, and make better use of limited space.

Some of these aircraft have remained idle for years despite previous attempts to resolve the issue. For example, a Cessna 421B has been parked at NAIA since 2009, while a Boeing 737-200, occupying 865.52 square meters at the North Taxiway Extension, has been unused since 2015.

https://www.newnaia.com.ph/about-us/news/nnic-to-clear-27-abandoned-aircraft-at-naia-to-improve-safety-and-efficiency

Apparently, this is where NNIC will build the new Cargo Terminal Building. If you noticed, DHL is already there pre-positioning with their A330.

As for the aircraft abandoned there, its obligations to NAIA is more than its salvage value so the owners could not easily take them away or sell it for scrap because they will still have to pay MIAA. They rather leave it there and rot. Remember, removing them there also entails cost. Nobody wants to pay for that. So NNIC has no choice but pay for their disposal.