Philippines attracts bids for airport upgrade

The ageing Ninoy Aquino International Airport needs an upgrade to solve chronic flight delays and passenger congestion. — Reuters

MANILA: The Philippines has attracted four bidders in an auction for the 170.6 billion pesos (US$3bil) upgrade of its main international airport, the transportation ministry says.

Ranked by some travel service firms among the world’s worst international gateways, the ageing Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the fifth largest in South-East Asia, needs an upgrade to solve chronic flight delays and passenger congestion.

“This is a very important project of the government as we want all our passengers improved travel experience,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said yesterday. “You all know this airport is very congested.”

Firms that submitted bids were the Manila International Airport Consortium, Asian Airport Consortium, GMR Airports Consortium and SMC SAP and Co Consortium, the bids and awards committee said. — Reuters