Conglomerates Ayala Corp. and San Miguel Corp. joined Metro Pacific Investments Corp. in expressing interest in bidding for the P74.56-billion redevelopment, operation and maintenance of Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“Yes, we’re looking at it. It’s too early to say whether we’re in or we’re out, but we’re definitely looking at it,” Ayala Corp. managing director Rene Almendras told reporters.
“I met a few foreign partners abroad. We want to make sure we put a good team. It’s a complex project,” he said.
San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang also told reporters his company would participate in the auction for the Naia redevelopment project.
“We will join all the bidding to support the government,” Ang said.
Metro Pacific chairman Manuel Pangilinan said last week his group was interested in the privatization of Naia’s operation, management and redevelopment.
The Transportation Department said it expected to begin PPP procurement this month, with the bid submission for the project likely in August next year.
The award and signing of the concession agreement is expected in September 2017.
Under the Naia contract, the government will award a 15-year to 20-year concession to the private sector to improve safety and security, maximize capacity through “refreshed” infrastructure, improve passenger service standards in the existing gateway, operate and maintain Naia and its four terminals.
Naia already exceeded the 30 million passenger capacity as early as 2012. A Japan International Cooperation Agency study showed the number of passengers using Naia would reach 101.49 million by 2040.
Transportation Undersecretary for aviation and airports Robert Lim said the Jica was finalizing the location for a proposed new airport that would replace Naia in Parañaque City.
Jica was looking at Sangley Point in Cavite and Laguna de Bay as potential sites for the new international airport. He said the government had to decide the ideal location for the new airport by 2017.
The government wants to build a new international airport that is 25 to 30 minutes away from Naia, which is expected to hit overcapacity this year, when the airport would handle 37.78 million passengers.