Philippine Airlines (PAL) has outlined its wishlist to San Miguel Group, the winning bidder for the privatization of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) which includes connectivity and digitalization of the airport.
“First of all is the connectivity of all terminals. This will significantly improve passenger convenience. . Imagine not having to leave the airport entirely to catch a connecting flight at another terminal. That’s our number one wish,” Capt. Stanley Ng, president and chief operating officer said.
The PAL executive also wants to improve the efficiency of the air traffic control at NAIA that can significantly reduce the fuel consumption.
Beyond connectivity, Ng emphasizes the importance of airport digitalization. He mentioned facial recognition, biometrics, and streamlined terminal entry as potential areas for improvement. These digital solutions could expedite security checks and overall passenger processing.
Ng also said that PAL is working with various government stakeholders, San Miguel Group and other airlines to achieve a more efficient and passenger-centric NAIA.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier awarded the 171 billion contract to rehabilitate, operate and maintain the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to SMC SAP Company Consortium.
The SMC SAP Group, which is formed by San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics Inc., RLW Aviation Development Inc. and Incheon International Airport Corp. had offered a highest bid of 82.16 percent revenue share to the government at the opening of financial proposals for NAIA.
SMC president Ramon Ang earlier vowed to improve air conditioning, elevators, walkalators, escalators as well as boarding bridges at NAIA.
Ang added that the consortium will address the problems in the airport’s power system by fixing its generators, capacitors, and wiring
He also said that the SMC Group will build a new passenger terminal building that can handle 35 million passengers annually with 50 concourse boarding bridges.
“It will add 30 percent more space in our existing terminals 1, 2 and 3,”Ang said.
At present, NAIA is operating beyond its designed capacity of 35 million passengers, clogging air traffic and causing frequent flight delays.