MIAA says PAL offer to build passenger terminal 'remote at this time'

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Wednesday welcomed the proposal of Philippine Airlines to build an annex of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 (NAIA-2), but made it clear such initiative will not happen in the near-term.

Any progress in this proposal will likely happen far into the future as the location is the "subject of a long standing legal case," the MIAA noted.

"Any offer of partnership to improve terminal 2 is a welcome move. We are happy that Philippine Airlines' offer is aligned to the government's own plan to improve the said terminal," the MIAA said in a statement.

"While this option can be explored, progress of any discussion in this regard is remote at this time because the area being considered is subject of a long standing legal case," it said.

PAL president Jaime Bautista presented the porposal during a membership meeting of the Management Association of the Philippines.

The terminal is capable of handling 12 million to 15 million passengers a year, with enough aerobridges to accommodate 12 to 17 wide-bodied and single aisle jets.

Bautista said the plan is to lease a 16.3-hectare land adjacent to the NAIA-2, encompassing the now-defunct Philippine Village Hotel or the Nayong Pilipino complex and a property owned by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation.

The proposed airport terminal is estimated to cost about P20 billion and will have a floor space of 89,000 square meters that will help decongest the airport and provide PAL passengers the "much-deserved space, amenities and modern conveniences," Bautista said. — VDS, GMA News