New Manila International Airport (NMIA)

[Solblanc]

I've said in the past that while I have no love for SMC, they won that NAIA contract fair and square. It's better in the long run to respect these contracts instead of always throwing a fit if some oligarch or group of oligarchs don't get their way

[Spartan117]

Still no word on the groundbreaking and even official renders...Would it be fair to assume the opening might end up more like 2029? Maybe their PERT-CPM already assumes some slippage?

[Arianespace]

I am hearing it as 2032. Apparently, BBM wanted to have a piece of the pie when he stopped the quarry permit, and for which reason SMC reluctantly obliged to give. So some parameters of the original agreement was moved silently, like breaking vertical grounds. In the original PERT land reclamation is supposed to be completed last November.



Clearly, on the latest video provided by Gustavo, they are far from the truth, which confirms our suspicion.

[Solblanc]

Didn't Cebu Pacific say at one point that they're going to modify their aircraft order if Bulacan doesn't open as scheduled?

Not so great news for everyone. But perhaps a silver lining for Clark as they're gonna get the growth.

[Arianespace]

Yes, but it referred to deferment of its delivery schedule, as delivery is dependent upon its opening in 2028.

[Gustavo J Oppenheimer]

Dax Lucas providing his view on NMIA

https://insiderph.com/insider-view-bulacan-airport-is-a-bet-on-the-philippines-future

[Solblanc]

I hope the author of that article was compensated well for his little fluff piece.

This airport is a planning mistake. The only reason why it's being allowed to go on is because andiyan na.

For decades, the plan was Clark. The supporting infrastructure to Clark was masterplanned and upgraded over the years. And faced with spending billions on reclamation on a greenfield airport in the bay vs spending billions on a rail connection to Clark, government chose a rail connection, because that rail connection would also benefit an economic corridor along the railway.

Now that we've committed to billions in debt for the Clark plan, in comes Ramon Ang and his selfish desire to have an airport of his own. I have no idea why he couldn't have done this off the coast of Cavite, but his decision to pick Bulacan basically screws over the future of Clark. Nangutang ang taong bayan, and we are going to get much less economic return on our utang because pinilit ng SMC ang Bulacan, tapos government naman, pinayagan.

If only he was allowed to do this in Cavite. That would've complemented the industrialization of Luzon.

Anyway, finishing the airport is one thing. Building the supporting infrastructure is another. And all that supporting infrastructure has to be planned from scratch. And who will pay for all that?

The land development is already too far in. We're in too deep. All we can do now is hope and pray that it turns out alright. Because we don't get any updates on anything aside from drone shots.

[JNC03]

Comparing Singapore to Philippines at first place is not practical due to how far we are from them.

Building an airport alone will not make us like Singapore, yes there is a airport but what about its transportation network. Singapore is building everything with its major rail systems connected to them even to tourism hubs, businesses and other transport hubs.

Meanwhile the development of NMIA and its links to public transportation are not on the same page, I think NAIA T3 will be linked to Manila Subway Project first before the line to NMIA from NSCR being built.

If SMC cannot deliver MRT7 on time what about the rail link from NMIA to NSCR or other rail lines?

[Spartan117]

This fluff piece would carry more weight if there were detailed design plans released and visible construction work. But nope, the site is still very much underdeveloped and severely behind schedule thanks to politicking.

By comparison, SIN Changi Terminal 5 will only be done mid-2030s but they have a whole exhibition ongoing right now to shape public expectations and perceptions

[Arianespace]

That is the price we pay when we let BBM dip a finger

[Arianespace]

Here is how it looks like yesterday. Far from November deadline they once spin. This is what happens when one dips a finger



And here is the actual view yesterday

https://youtu.be/8zvQBqrxhz4?t=430

[Spartan117]

Any chance sand filling works (and consequently, the groundbreaking) would continue in a major way anytime this year? Or are the powers-that-be going to keep this project in limbo for now?

I’d like to think SMC is at least busy behind the scenes, like maybe coordinating with Incheon Airport Corp on ops planning, or talking to airlines about potential NMIA routes, or working with ADPi/Meinhardt/Jacobs to refine the (probably already dated) design plans.

But maybe that’s just wishful thinking at this point

[Arianespace]

Its not in limbo. It's just delayed like all other infrastructure projects, ie NSCR, subway, etc. Please do remember this too is a government project implemented by SMC. Don't lose sight on that particular fact.