President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is finally starting to look and function like a “real airport” following sweeping upgrades under its new private operator, the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC).
Speaking at the launch of new airport facilities, Marcos congratulated NNIC, led by president Ramon Ang, along with key government officials including Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco and Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac, for accelerating the transformation of the country’s main gateway.
“I was commenting to the first lady as we walked through the different parts of the airport — I told her, it looks like a real airport, finally,” Marcos said.
“It now looks like the airports we go through when we travel abroad, and at least it is functioning like a modern airport. The multiplier effect of this efficiency is quite massive.”
NNIC assumed rehabilitation and management of NAIA more than a year ago, aiming to modernize the aging airport and make it more passenger-centered in line with the administration’s push to boost tourism.
Recent improvements include decongested ground and air operations, upgraded seating and cooling systems, improved restrooms, expanded Wi-Fi access, restored equipment, enhanced baggage handling and new mobility options.
“Oh, the cooling system – it’s cold now,” Marcos said. “Wherever you go in the airport, you’re comfortable.”
The president stressed that the changes go beyond physical upgrades.
“Hindi lamang ito usapin tungkol sa imprastraktura. Ito ay usapin ng malasakit – ang pag-unawa sa pagod, pangamba, at pananabik ng bawat Pilipino at bisitang dumadating dito sa ating bansa,” he said.
Marcos highlighted NAIA’s recent achievement of a 92 percent single-day on-time performance rate and its first-ever customer experience accreditation from Airports Council International.
“So it’s not just us saying among ourselves that the airport is better,” he said. “Even those who study airport conditions say that the Manila airport has improved.”
He also cited the rollout of new immigration e-gates, cutting clearance time to as fast as 20 seconds.
“Ito ay patunay na iginagalang natin ang oras ng bawat biyahero at pinahahalagahan ang kanilang dignidad,” Marcos said.
New passenger amenities were unveiled, including the All-Filipino Food Hall and Mezzanine Food Hall featuring local brands, as well as a Dignitaries Lounge and a Medical Tourism Concierge Area. Tourism initiatives such as a Transit Tour program for long-layover passengers were also introduced.
“Layunin po nating iparamdam ang diwa at ganda ng Pilipinas kahit sa maikling panahon lamang,” Marcos said.
The president underscored that several improvements were designed with overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in mind, calling them “ang ating mga bagong bayani.”
He also announced the release of around 130 abandoned container vans of balikbayan boxes, assuring they would be returned to their rightful owners.
“These boxes do not belong to the government. They belong to our OFWs,” Marcos said.
Marcos concluded by calling for continued public-private cooperation, saying NAIA’s ongoing reforms show what is possible when institutions work together with the people’s welfare at the center.