NNIC redesigns Naia 1 curbside system to improve traffic flow
San Miguel-led New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC) has opened the main arrival curbside at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1 to all private vehicles, making the once-restricted area accessible to all passengers-not just VIPs.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr), in a statement posted on its Facebook page, said this change “aims to provide a more inclusive and convenient experience for arriving travelers and their loved ones, as part of a broader effort to improve traffic flow and passenger comfort at one of the airport’s busiest terminals.”
NNIC said in its own statement on Friday that the area has 14 designated loading bays that can service private vehicles.
“With this change, arriving passengers no longer need to go to the ground floor passenger arrival extension area to meet their rides—they can now wait comfortably at the main arrival curbside,” NNIC said.
The outer curbside now serves as an additional pickup area. On Jan. 12, a dedicated meet-and-greet area will open in this section.
The soft launch of the new system began on Friday, allowing passengers and transport providers to familiarize themselves with the changes.
Full implementation is scheduled for Monday, Jan. 13, providing time to gather feedback and make any necessary adjustments for a smooth transition.
Grab ride-hailing booths will also be placed in the outer curbside where passengers can book their rides.
Rent-a-Car services, coupon taxis and yellow-metered taxis were relocated to the extension area on the ground level.
“By introducing a redesigned curbside system, we are making it easier for passengers and their loved ones to connect while addressing longstanding traffic issues at Terminal 1,” NNIC president Ramon Ang said.
Air travel demand
NNIC has been implementing changes in the operations and upgrading airport facilities amid the increasing air travel demand.
Naia ended 2024 with record breaking 50.1-million passenger volume, a 10.43-percent growth from the previous year. The latest figure also surpassed prepandemic passenger volume by 5.08 percent.
The country’s primary gateway also facilitated 293,488 flights last year, showing 10.43-percent growth from last year and a 5.08-percent increase from 2019 or prior to the pandemic.
Last year, the group began the renovation and safety upgrades for Naia Terminal 4. This project is targeted to be finished by February this year.
NNIC also plans to build a new passenger terminal building with an annual capacity of 35 million passengers.
