“Improvements at the NAIA terminals are now visible since the NNIC entry”
THE importance of an efficient and modern infrastructure gets urgent as the country marches toward economic growth.
Just few months after San Miguel Corporation’s New NAIA Infra Corp. took over the operation and management of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, passengers coming in and out of the country have noticed many positive changes there.
They are commendable as our country struggles to modernize an international gateway, reputed as one of the worst in the world.
Two months back, SMC Chairman/CEO Ramon S. Ang was seen at the NAIA Terminal 3 overseeing some improvements as he announced solving the perennial gridlock at the Resort World Complex area with a practical and efficient solution, using the loop and freeing up parking spaces at the airport complex itself.
Now, Terminal 3 features an automated parking system, with Terminals 1 and 2 set to follow on March 14. Drivers can enter seamlessly through unmanned gates, receive an automated ticket, and exit using a QR code – cutting waiting times and improving traffic flow.
Recently, NNIC announced the deployment of additional inter-terminal shuttle buses at NAIA .to provide passengers ease of travel from one terminal to another.
The new shuttle buses will improve mobility as passengers are provided free transfers to terminals where they have connecting flights. These are available 24/7 to reduce passengers’ waiting time and ease traffic congestion at the terminals.
For 2024, NAIA handled more than 50 million inbound/outbound passengers.
“Expanding our shuttle fleet is an immediate step to improve accessibility and convenience for passengers,” said RSA, also president of NNIC.
Among NNIC’s innovations was bringing in two new ambulances to respond to medical emergencies at NAIA. The emergency vehicles are equipped with advanced medical tools and staffed by trained paramedics to provide quick medical assistance.
To guide aircraft to their designated parking ramps, three “follow-me” vehicles have been added aimed at reducing taxi times on the limited runways and contribute to smoother operations.
Early this year, NNIC opened the main arrival curbside at Terminal I to all private vehicles. Before this, the area was limited for use only by VIPs.
NNIC said opening the main arrival curbside to all passengers is a key feature of the newly reconfigured pick up system at Terminal 1. It simplifies pick ups of arriving passengers by private vehicles, ride-hailing services, and metered taxis and eases congestion and improves traffic flow.
From the 14 designated loading bays at the main arrival curbside where passengers can be picked up by private vehicles, two bays—A8 & A9 are designated for persons with disabilities.
Meanwhile, Bays A11 and A12 will continue to be reserved for VIP pickups. For hotel pickups, Bays A13 and A14 are the designated areas. The area beyond Bay A14 is designated for terminal transfer shuttle bus services.
At the outer curbside area, Bays B1 to B6 are designated as Meet and Greet area, and for Grab ride-hailing pickups.
Bays C1 to C6 at the ground level area have been designated for rent-a-car services, coupon taxis, and yellow metered taxis.
“This change provides a more inclusive and convenient experience for arriving travelers and their loved ones, as part of a broader effort to improve traffic flow and passenger comfort at one of the airport’s busiest terminals,” NNIC, which upgraded NAIA’s traffic statement, said.
Aside from the traffic system upgrade, the decision of SMC Infrastructure increasing the Skyway Stage 3 speed limit to 80 kph from 60 kph on its straight sections is commendable.
This speeds up travel on Skyway Stage 3 and NAIA expressway, an elevated toll road spanning 11 kilometers that connects the Skyway system to the three terminals and to Entertainment City, Macapagal Boulevard, Sucat Road and road networks to Cavite.
“This change will make travel on NAIAX and Skyway Stage 3 faster and more efficient for everyone,” RSA said.
Another SMC initiative that impacts on NAIA and complements its rehabilitation was the cleanup of Paranaque’s waterways—the Paranaque River, Don Galo River, and San Dioisio and Villanueva creeks.
The undertaking conforms with the conglomerate’s Better Rivers PH initiative which will mitigate flooding in the NAIA area and in the areas approaching it.
The Domestic Road and NAIA Terminal 4 also benefit from the program as storm drain lines along the area were de-clogged, manholes reopened and new ones constructed.
Improvements at the NAIA terminals are now visible since the NNIC entry. Travelers now enjoy faster internet connectivity, cooler terminal lounges, cleaner restrooms, more passenger boarding bridges, among others.
We look forward to more improvements and transformation of NAIA to a world-class gateway.
(MTV, book author and publisher, is president/chief executive officer of Media Touchstone Ventures, Inc. and president/executive director of the Million Trees Foundation Inc., a non-government outfit advocating tree-planting and environmental protection.)