By TONY LOPEZ
In 2025, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) handled 52.02 million passengers, a new high and breaking the previous record of 50.1 million chalked up in 2024, also scored under the new airport management, the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) of industrial giant San Miguel Corporation headed by CEO Ramon S. Ang.
The record passenger traffic is remarkable given that Philippine tourism has been in the doldrums, with the smallest arrivals volume among the six major countries of the ASEAN (4 million in eight months 2025).
In 2025, I made overseas trips. Each time I returned, it was a pleasant experience. Except: Security guards at NAIA 1 departure check if you have tickets and read your passport—as if they were border patrol agents. It’s irritating. Your passport is private property. No private person should read it.
On my return trips through NAIA, clearing through immigration and customs was a breeze. Except when the airline delayed unloading baggage into the carousels. Luggage carts are plenty. Unlike before when looking for a luggage carts was a game of hide and seek and you had to befriend a luggage boy to find one.
Inside the arrival and outside arrival areas, gone are the hustlers—pretending to help you with your luggage, clear customs for you, book a ride, and help you load your baggage into your vehicle.
NNIC said “December was the busiest month in NAIAs history, with 4.86 million passengers. International travelers accounted for 2.367 million of the total, a monthly high, while domestic passengers reached 2.495 million, the second-largest monthly volume recorded.”
Despite the higher passenger volumes, airport operations remained stable during peak periods, supported by operational improvements implemented during 2025.
These included the rollout of new biometric immigration e-Gates funded by NNIC, upgrades to passenger processing systems and terminal facilities, and closer coordination among airlines, government agencies, and airport stakeholders.
NNIC said “the focus has been on improving flow, reducing bottlenecks, and ensuring the airport can handle peak demand more effectively.”
In 15 months, NNIC remitted P57 billion to the government as frontloaded payment for its concession to operate NAIA.
Improvements
Here is NNIC’s report by YouTube on its achievements:
Immigration is one of the busiest parts of any airport. At NAIA, it just got easier. The new E-Gates funded by NNIC are now operational with a phased rollout of eligibility so more travelers can use them over time.
New facilities continue to open. A dignitaries’ lounge welcomes global leaders. At Terminal 1, a new OFW lounge offers our modern-day heroes a more comfortable place to rest before their flights.
At Terminal 3, new food halls bring more dining choices and a better place to enjoy a meal before boarding. Tambayan brings together flavors from across the Philippines. A first stop for visitors discovering our regional specialties and a familiar comfort for travelers heading home.
The Mezzanine Food Hall features a curated mix of well-loved local and international brands, giving passengers more choices, more comfort, and a more modern Terminal 3 experience.
At the Airside Food Village, homegrown brands and family-friendly dining areas create a relaxed, casual dining experience just steps away from the gates. And this is just the beginning.
More improvements are being rolled out across terminals.
On time performance
NNIC’s first year saw NAIA reach its highest single-day on-time performance at 92.29%. Over 51.7 million passengers were served, and more than 283,000 flights handled. New routes now link Manila to cities like Paris, Da Nang, Sapporo, and New Delhi.
Global operators such as SIA Engineering have joined NAIA as partners. Inside the terminals, passengers now enjoy cooler, brighter spaces. Thousands of new seats and trolleys, upgraded walkalators and baggage systems, and expanded curbside and parking areas.
A dedicated TNVS hub at Terminal 3 has also made pickups safer and more organized. On the air side, taxiways and parking stands have been expanded, abandoned aircraft cleared, and new explosive detection systems procured for safer, faster baggage screening.
A major power upgrade is also underway as Meralco builds a dedicated substation to connect all terminals directly to the national grid. Flood mitigation continues, with over 310,000 metric tons of silt and waste removed from river systems surrounding NAIA.
As these improvements roll out, the country benefits immensely. NNIC’s P57 billion remittance support public services and national programs across the archipelago.
Under the PPP, 82.16% of NAIA’s revenues go directly to the government, ensuring the benefits flow straight to the Filipino people.
Accreditation
Recently, NAIA earned its first-ever airport customer experience accreditation from Airports Council International, a milestone in NAIA’s history and a sign that the work is taking root. Even bigger upgrades are on the way—new diplomatic and business lounges in time for ASEAN 2026.
Collins Aerospace biometric systems, being introduced in faces, will allow passengers to use their faces as their boarding pass. New terminals, new boarding bridges, improved bus gates, world-class retail and dining, and a direct link to the Metro Manila subway.
Runway capacity will rise from 40 to 48 movements per hour and terminal capacity from 35 to 62 million passengers a year. More improvements, more reliability, and a better experience for every traveler. This is NAIA, changing for the better. Powered by private investment and is still owned by the government and the Filipino people through public private partnership. Terminal 4 and 5 are under construction.
Shared sense of purpose
“From major infrastructure and essential services to programs that support communities and everyday Filipinos, SMC’s efforts reflect how a diverse group of businesses can work together with a shared sense of purpose,” said Ramon Ang in his New Year message. ‘Proud to serve our nation’ has always guided what we do, and it will continue to guide us in the year ahead.”
Congrats RSA, probably the most visionary and boldest of our CEOs. Now, if only we could sell the Philippines better to the world. The country is a fun place. And easy to love.