The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has confirmed that the government is planning to privatize the operations of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
During the Senate Committee on Public Services' hearing on the airport traffic fiasco on Thursday, DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said the privatization would upgrade and expand the capacity of the airport.
"We will work and fast track the privatization of Manila International Aiport kasi po ang MIA is the gateway to the Philippines. Right now, it is the only major aiport in Metro Manila. It has reached its rated capacity or even exceeded its capacity. That is why we need to improve and modernize NAIA," he told lawmakers.
According to Bautista, the NAIA currently handles 40 to 44 aircraft an hour.
But once it will be modernized, it can serve 50 to 55 aircraft per hour, he added.
The DOTr chief vowed to fast-track the NAIA's privatization conditions of the terms of reference.
"We are expecting that we should be able have this by the end of first quarter of 2023," Bautista said.
