New NAIA Infra Corp. Says Terminal Reassignments ‘Will Surely Happen’

New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), the group set to take over the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on September 14, 2024, announced that terminal reassignments are inevitable as part of efforts to decongest the airport and enhance flight efficiency.

According to NNIC General Manager Angelito Alvarez, the group has consulted experts on reassigning airline terminals to improve passenger experience and increase flight movements from 41 to 48 per hour. The reassignment will be a gradual process, taking full effect once the planned Terminal 2 extension is completed in two years.

Under the new plan, NAIA Terminal 1 will serve Philippine Airlines, Terminal 2 will become a purely domestic terminal for Cebu Pacific, Terminal 3 will accommodate all foreign airlines, and Terminal 4 will handle AirAsia flights. The process will begin with AirAsia moving from Terminal 2 to Terminal 4, followed by Cebu Pacific shifting to the vacated Terminal 2 space.

NNIC, consisting of San Miguel Holdings Corp. and other partners, signed a P170.6-billion concession agreement with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) earlier this year. The group committed over P122.3 billion in capital investments and will make an upfront payment of P30 billion to the government.