THREE airport stakeholders operating at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) closed ranks to pitch to authorities a unique offer to help reduce passengers’ processing time and improve NAIA with minimal cost and revenue loss to government, or increased terminal fees for air travelers.
The three stakeholders are veteran ground handlers Data, Inc. (Philippine subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates’ Data) and Philippine Airport Ground Support Solutions, Inc. (PAGSS), together with the Bureau of Immigration’s e-Gate provider Ascent Solutions Philippines, Inc.
They volunteered to equip NAIA with automated biometrics and Common Use Self Service (CUSS) systems and equipment, including self-service check-in and bag drop, additional e-Gates and automated flight boarding.
According to the group, these systems can substantially reduce passenger processing times and, following their proposed implementation schedule, should augment the capacity of Terminal 1 by some 2 million passengers per year within just three months. After a further rollout within six months, the departure capacity of Terminal 1 should increase by 4 million more passengers per year, and Terminal 3 by 8 million.
They see no need for so many billions to be used for the NAIA rehabilitation and unnecessary upgrades, costs that could inevitably be passed on to passengers. The group wants to demonstrate NAIA’s functionality up until the flagship New Manila International Airport opens in less than five years. The group does not intend to charge the government or the riding public any fee for the use of its equipment.
“Having gained invaluable insight into NAIA from years of experience, we know with certainty that the main pain point of passengers, airlines, and airport users is congestion, long queues resulting in inconvenience. This issue can be satisfactorily addressed through automation,” said PAGSS President Janette Cordero.
“With the right guidance and the support of airport stakeholders, NAIA can be operated more efficiently, without overspending or over-charging,” Cordero added.
The group also offered to provide the services of aviation experts in airport operations and optimization of runway capacity to support government’s efforts in developing ways and means to decongest NAIA.
Cordero stressed that these services are at no cost or charge to the Government.
Critics of the planned bidding out of the operations and management of the NAIA to private groups point to foregone government revenues, the proposed hikes in airport charges, and the alleged futility of spending to expand an already congested single- runway airport.
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