DOTC eyes sale of NAIA

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) today said that it is mulling to sell the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Pasay-Paranaque.

DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas said in a forum that the money that will be earned by the government from selling the country’s prime airport, named after the father of President Benigno Aquino III,  will be used to pay for the cost of the proposed Clark International Airport that will meet the long term airport needs of the country.

“All of these [NAIA sale] are just plans, and indicative, and will not happen overnight, or within one to three years,” Roxas said in a media forum. 

“If the growth is very high, we may keep two airports (NAIA and Clark). But if the growth is just what’s projected, we may have only Clark and then sell it (NAIA) to pay for the transfer,” he added.

Roxas was reacting to the negative observations and the latest survey showing that the 30-year old NAIA is voted as the world’s worst airport.

“The customer is always right, this will serve as a challenge to do what we have to do faster and better,” Roxas said.

A DOTC study shows that NAIA has already reached its saturation point, and there is not much room for expansion.

The rated capacity of all four NAIA terminals is about 32 million passengers a year, and is expected to hit 30 million passengers this year. It is not only reaching the limit runway-wise, but terminal wise as well.

The government expects to raise revenue of up to $2.5 billion with NAIA's privatization.

The amount would be able to fund the construction of the new international gateway in Clark.

He added that the government is studying all possible options in achieving cost efficiency in constructing a globally-upgraded international airport.

“Just like in Hong Kong when they sold the old Kai Tak airport in Kowloon, which paid for the transfer in the newer and expanded Chek Lap Kok airport in Lantau island,” he said.