New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC) announced on Tuesday, August 25, that it has executed an Airport Use Agreement (AUA) with flagship carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) to establish operational standards at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The landmark contract outlines specific obligations for both PAL and the private operator regarding facility usage and includes protocol remedies for missed operational benchmarks.
By implementing defined performance metrics, the agreement aims to streamline airline processes and ensure alignment with the service expectations required under NNIC’s public concession. Managed by a San Miguel Corporation-led consortium, NNIC is charged with modernizing the capital’s central hub through infrastructure updates, optimized terminal throughput, and elevated flight reliability.
The AUA sets structured protocols for daily operations across all NAIA terminals, targeting better synchronization across passenger processing, baggage flow, and ramp management.
Highlighting the initiative, NNIC President and Chief Executive Officer Ramon Ang stated that the framework provides clear mechanisms for accountability.
“This agreement gives us a clearer framework for setting expectations, measuring performance and working together to maintain consistent service standards,” he noted.
PAL Holdings President and Chief Operating Officer Lucio Tan III welcomed the partnership as a vital step toward matching international aviation benchmarks.
“This is a positive development for both PAL and NNIC, and ultimately for our passengers. It supports the continuing modernization of NAIA and our collective goal of delivering a better airport experience,” Tan said.
The agreement allows NNIC to closely track service delivery and enforce corrective actions when operational snarls occur.
Given that gateway operations rely on tightly sequenced processes—where single-point breakdowns cause cascading flight delays—the company plans to execute identical agreements with remaining carriers, ground handling crews, and airport service providers to maintain uniform operational compliance across NAIA.
These contracts directly support NNIC’s ₱170.6-billion concession mandate to overhaul airport infrastructure, expand terminal facilities, and resolve long-standing capacity bottlenecks to ultimately boost the airport’s annual capacity from 35 million to 62 million passengers.