The Manila International Aiport Authority said it will spend P319 million to modernize the aerobridges at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Terminal 1.
MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said the agency embarked on a project to replace the decades-old passenger boarding bridges with new ones.
The project involves design manufacturing, factory testing, delivery and installation of new and customized units of apron-type and pedestal-type PBBs.
Phase 1 of the project consists of replacement of nine units, while Phase 2 includes eleven of boarding bridges. Phase 1 has a project cost of P319 million.
Actual replacement commenced this week. Phase 1 is expected to be completed in December this year.
Phase 2 is due for bidding with actual implementation expected to commence by the first quarter of 2019.
The PBB connects the airport walkway directly to the aircraft. It provides ease and convenience to passengers and protects them from both hot and humid or inclement weather.
From steel walls, the new aerobridges are made of a glass wall. The units are also air-conditioned and equipped with CCTV camera with a view of the apron. The bridges are also designed with a programmable motor controller and are ground power unit-ready.
The agency said the bridges being replaced have been in operation for 33 years and are now outdated, rendering them unreliable with incidents of breakdown occurring from time to time.
Shinmaywa Industries Inc. supplied the 20 aerobridges in the late 1970s when NAIA 1 was under construction. The units were the first of its kind in the Philippines back then.
Shenzhen CIMC-TianDa Airport Support Ltd. is supplying the new aerobridges for Naia. The company’s core business is airport support equipment, among others.
The company has supplied over 4,000 units of passenger boarding bridges in 200 airports worldwide.