Consortium proposes over ₱100B in upgrades to NAIA

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 27) — The newly-formed Manila International Airport Consortium (MIAC) has proposed to the national government a series of upgrades to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) valued at over ₱100 billion, Alliance Global Inc. (AGI) said Thursday.

The MIAC consists of six conglomerates: Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc., AC Infrastructure Holdings Corporation, Asia's Emerging Dragon Corporation, Alliance Global Infracorp Development, Inc., Filinvest Development Corporation, and the JG Summit Infrastructure Holdings Corporation.

MIAC also includes the partnership of US-based investment firm Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP).

"We envision a truly world-class airport befitting the beauty of the Philippines: one where congestion, reliability issues, and unpleasant passenger experiences will become things of the past," MIAC Director Kevin Tan said.

In line with the government's Build, Better, More initiative, proposal entails an upfront payment to the Philippine government and committed investments to NAIA's facilities and technologies in a bid to transform the facility into a world-class airport.

If enacted, the proposed upgrades to NAIA could allow the airport to serve up to 62.5 million passengers per annum, more than double its current capacity of 31 million per annum, the MIAC said.

"We submit this proposal united in the belief that our gateway to the world needs to represent the best of who we are as Filipinos. Passing through our international gateway should be a seamless experience. We want the first thing that locals and foreigners alike see, when they arrive in the Philippines, to be a source of pride for all Filipinos," MIAC Director Josephine Yap said.

According to AGI's statement, the members of the MIAC have previously owned and operated the Mactan-Cebu, Clark, London Gatwick, Edinburgh, London City and Sydney airports.