The Department of Transportation expects to award the P170-billion contract to rehabilitate and expand the Ninoy Aquino International Airport by end-December this year, Secretary Jaime Bautista said Thursday.
Bautista said the agency would finalize the terms of reference approved by the National Economic Development Authority before the publication of the invitation to bid.
“Probably in the first week of August, we will publish the invitation to bid and we can give them two months to submit their bids. We will give them three months, including the possible extension. By November, we can already open the bids and award by the end of December,” Bautista said.
“The financial closing will take about three to six months, so hopefully by the middle of 2024 the winning bidder can start the concession agreement,” he said.
The DOTr and the Manila International Airport Authority will serve as co-grantors for the project, which has a duration set for 15 years, with an option for a 10-year extension.
The NAIA privatization project aims to address longstanding issues at NAIA such as the inadequate capacity of passenger terminal buildings and restricted aircraft movement.
It also aims to increase the annual airport capacity from 35 million to at least 62 million passengers and raise air traffic movement from 40 to 48 per hour.
The project is also expected to improve the overall passenger experience and service quality to prevent long queues, lengthy waiting times and other passenger inconveniences.
The NEDA board, chaired by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., earlier approved the solicited proposal to rehabilitate, operate expand and transfer the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. It is now known as the Solicited NAIA PPP Project.