Metro Manila, Philippines – The private operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) said on Tuesday, June 3, the additional e-gates that will be installed in terminals will be free of charge — both for the passengers and government.
In a chance interview, New NAIA Infra Corp. President Ramon Ang said e-gates with biometric facial recognition will be up in six months for passengers going through immigration.
Ang said the NNIC aims to install the system in all terminals.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon earlier said at a Palace briefing the additional e-gates may be up before Christmas.
Ang, Dizon, and some Cabinet members accompanied President Bongbong Marcos in inspecting the main gateway.
‘Nicest’ NAIA
Marcos said he has seen a lot of changes since the NNIC took over the airport maintenance and operations in September 2024.
The president said he is optimistic that more progress at the gateway will be made in the next few months.
“We will see more construction by the end of the year already. Yung mga dinadaanan ng ano, you can see inuumpisahan na, yung pagdaan ng mga truck o sasakyan,” Marcos said.
“I’ve been to this airport, I don’t know how many times. It’s the nicest that I have seen the airport in 20, 30 years,” he added.
NNIC has carried out projects to improve passenger experience since it took over operations.
These include more boarding bridges, modern security screening and baggage handling systems, expanded curbside areas, increased parking capacity, and designated pick-up areas for taxis and app-based transport. Power reliability and terminal cooling systems have also been enhanced.
San Miguel Corporation unit NNIC bagged the multibillion-peso concession agreement early 2024, seeking to maintain and upgrade the airport for 25 years.
