The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Consortium said survey results reveal that Filipinos still prefer the Manila airport over other alternative airports in the country.
In a statement, the Consortium cited results from Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey conducted in March, which says that 62 percent of Filipinos still prefer NAIA located in Metro Manila.
Meanwhile, 22 percent said they prefer Clark in Pampanga; 9 percent voted for Sangley Point in Cavite; and 6 percent voted for Bulacan.
The survey was conducted following suggestions that operations should be moved to other airports to reduce the number of passengers at NAIA.
The survey also revealed that 57 percent of the respondents are also hopeful that NAIA will be rehabilitated while 14 percent are not hopeful.
Ready for rehabilitation
The Consortium, composed of Aboitiz InfraCapital Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp., Alliance Global Group Inc., Asia’s Emerging Dragon Corp., Filinvest Development Corp., JG Summit Holdings Inc. and Metro Pacific Investments Corp., submitted a proposal to upgrade, operate and maintain NAIA for a concession period of 15 years and project cost to Php105 billion.
NAIA Consortium spokesperson Jose Emmanuel “Jimbo” F. Reverente hopes that their proposal will be processed faster since “every year’s delay will cost the country opportunity losses in terms of trade, investments, and tourism, and the jobs they will generate, among others.”
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has submitted the proposal to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA). Once approved, the proposal will be submitted to the National Economic and Development Authority’s Investment Coordination Committee (NEDA-ICC).
Under the proposal, the first phase includes the general improvement of the NAIA Terminals 1, 2, 3, and 4; while the second phase involves the development of a reclaimed area in Manila Bay to a third runway and another terminal, an addition that the conglomerates deemed necessary.
NAIA life is only 10 years
In April, DOTr secretary Arthur Tugade revealed that NAIA’s life is only down to 10 years due to congestion of passengers and outdated technologies and equipment.
“NAIA will not last forever because it is presently situated in a place which is overly congested, and technology and airline travel have improved,” Tugade said.
“My fear, it would be 8 to 9 years, at most, 10 years. That’s the lifespan of NAIA,” he added.
Tugade underscored the need to rehabilitate the airport to keep up with today’s aviation standards and advances.
Tugada also expressed openness to the idea of opening new airports and turning NAIA into an economic hub like Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.
