NAIA’s First Year Under NNIC: Growth, Tech Upgrades, But Fee Hike Under Fire

NNIC President Ramon S. Ang.

NAIA’s First Year Under NNIC: Growth, Tech Upgrades, But Fee Hike Under Fire

By Bing Jabadan – TheNationWeek.Com | September 15, 2025

MANILA, Philippines – A year after the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) assumed operations of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the airport is touting significant gains: a surge in passenger volume, improved on-time performance, and the imminent rollout of a cutting-edge facial recognition system.

However, these advancements are overshadowed by a controversial increase in terminal fees, sparking public outrage as NAIA fails to secure a spot on Skytrax’s prestigious “Most Enhanced Airports” list.

A Year of Progress: Passenger Growth, Operational Improvements

NNIC’s first year, spanning Sept. 14, 2024, to Sept. 13, 2025, saw NAIA welcoming 51.7 million passengers, a 6-percent increase compared to the previous year.

The airport also handled 283,771 flights and achieved a record-breaking on-time performance of 92.12 percent on a single day.

Operational improvements, including reconfigured aircraft parking stands and expanded taxiway movements, have streamlined airside operations, enabling NAIA to accommodate new domestic and international routes with 47 airline partners.

In a statement, the NNIC boasted that passengers are experiencing upgrades within the terminals:

• Enhanced Comfort: 11,820 new chairs, 2,500 baggage trolleys, and 21 new air-conditioning units.  
• Improved Connectivity: Wi-Fi upgraded from 1G to 10G.  
• Accessibility: All escalators, walkalators, and elevators are now fully operational.  
• Modernization: Thirty-four new boarding bridges on order, ongoing restroom renovations, and plans for 10 new restrooms.  
• OFW Support: A dedicated OFW lounge in Terminal 3 has served nearly half a million overseas Filipino workers, with a second lounge slated for Terminal 1.  
• Efficient Transportation: A fleet of 20 new shuttle buses has transported over half a million travelers between terminals.  
• Streamlined Baggage Handling: 51.3 million bags processed efficiently, addressing past issues of long queues.

The NNIC is also pursuing ISO certifications in quality, environment, and safety, alongside sustainability initiatives like waste removal, a Tenant Environmental Handbook, and green policies promoting water conservation and energy efficiency.

Fee Hike Sparks Public Ire

Despite these advancements, NAIA’s image is marred by a recent increase in terminal fees, the first in 20 years, implemented on Sept. 14.

International terminal fees have risen from P550 to P950, while domestic passengers now face a P390 fee, up from P200.

The NNIC justifies the increase, citing the need to fund modernization efforts and pointing out that NAIA’s rates remain competitive compared to other Asian airports like Haneda, Bangkok, and Changi.

The consortium also highlights its P170 billion investment commitment, with P48.3 billion already remitted to the government and P13 billion earmarked for capital expenditures this year.

However, public sentiment remains largely negative, fueled by NAIA’s failure to secure a spot on Skytrax’s “Most Enhanced Airports” list for 2025.

The list recognizes airports that have undergone significant transformations, showcasing improvements in passenger services, terminal efficiency, and overall comfort.

Mactan-Cebu International Airport secured the seventh spot, further highlighting NAIA’s underperformance.

Critics argue that NAIA’s current facilities and services are not comparable to the airports cited by the NNIC, questioning whether the fee hike will translate into tangible improvements for passengers.

“The absence of NAIA from this list, despite the impending fee hike, raises serious questions about where the money is going and whether it’s actually translating into tangible improvements for passengers,” said a group of seafarers who requested anonymity.

“Passengers are essentially being asked to pay more for the same subpar service.”

Transparency Concerns, OFW Criticisms

Adding to the controversy is the restricted media access to airport terminals since NNIC took over, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

In-house media have not been granted access inside the terminals to validate NNIC’s claims of improvements.

Furthermore, the NNIC’s use of OFWs as leverage in defending the fee hikes has drawn criticisms.

While OFWs are exempt from international fees, concerns remain about the impact on their families and relatives who will bear the brunt of the increased costs.

“NNIC should stop using OFWs as leverage because long before they took over, OFWs were already exempt from terminal fees,” said a worker.

“The real issue is that our families and relatives will bear the brunt of these expensive fees, with the domino effects impacting airfares and potentially driving up the prices of commodities like fast food due to higher lease rentals.”

The Road Ahead: Accountability, Tangible Improvements

As passengers brace for higher fees, pressure is mounting on the MIAA and the NNIC to demonstrate that funds will indeed lead to meaningful enhancements and elevate NAIA to a globally competitive standard.

The focus now shifts to demanding accountability from stakeholders and ensuring that passenger fees translate into a tangible and genuinely improved airport experience.

“Operating an airport the size and scale of NAIA will always be demanding,” said NNIC President Ramon S. Ang.

“But what this first year has shown is that with teamwork, discipline, and the dedication of our people, real change is possible… Together with government and our partners, we will sustain these gains and finally deliver a truly world-class NAIA,” Ang added.

The coming year will be crucial in determining whether NNIC can deliver on that promise and address the growing concerns surrounding the fee hike and NAIA’s overall performance.