PAL proposes to build P20-B NAIA passenger terminal

Philippine Airlines (PAL) is proposing to build a passenger terminal worth P20-billion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 (NAIA-2).

In a media forum during the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) general meeting on Wednesday, PAL president Jaime Bautista presented the proposed annex building capable of handling 12 to 15 million passengers a year, with enough aerobridges to accommodate 12 to 17 wide-bodied and single aisle jets.

"We proposed to construct a terminal 2 annex, essentially a whole new terminal connected to the current terminal 2," Bautista said.

"We plan to lease an additional 16.3 hectares of land adjacent to our new terminal 2 aircraft parking area. There we can invest up to $400 million to construct the terminal 2 annex that will dramatically increase the capacity of terminal 2 from the current 7.5 million to as much 20 million passengers per annum," he added.

The proposed terminal will have a floor space of 89,000 square meters in a 16.3-hectare area adjacent to the NAIA-2, encompassing the now-defunct Philippine Village Hotel or the Nayong Pilipino complex and a property owned by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR).

It will help decongest the airport and provide PAL passengers the "much-deserved space, amenities and modern conveniences."

"Philippine Airlines operates most of our flights at terminal 2, which is squeezed into a cramped area around the main control tower. This constraint limits the number of close-in vehicular parking spaces," Bautista said.

The project would be phase two of an action plan by the airline, with phase one focused on "upgrading the 18 facilities of terminal 2 and modernizing the existing terminal building along with some much needed expansion."

"PAL believes that we need to break free of the confines of the building and expand terminal 2 to the north. The ultimate solution is think big and build our desired new terminal 2 annex," Bautista said.

The new annex will provide 3,000 to 5,000 construction jobs and boost the tourism industry, he noted.

"Once operational the terminal will support at least 3,000 jobs, managers, counter personnel, ramp service crew, cleaners and maintenance personnel, security and lounge staff, employees of concessionaire shops and more," Bautista said.

"In addition, more Filipinos will be employed as pilots, cabin crew, sale agents, call center staff and other positions to ensure that we maintain the highest level of safety while giving customers our own brand of buong pusong alaga service," he said.

"Most crucially this project will help the Philippines to boost tourism and economic development, supporting thousands of jobs, business and public welfare across different industries and sectors of society," Bautista noted.

"For this vision to succeed, it is crucial to have the support of the Philippine government. We need the government to continuously invest in building, developing, enhancing and upgrading airport infrastructure, not just for NAIA but all throughout the country, as PAL and other airlines put up more flights and open new routes in our race for a thriving economic future," Bautista added. — VDS/KVD, GMA News