The Department of Transportation (DOTr) in the Philippines has announced that construction of the passenger terminal building (PTB) for the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulacan is scheduled to commence in January 2026. DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon confirmed that San Miguel Aerocity Inc. (SMAI), the project's developer, is committed to this timeline, which is essential for keeping the overall project on track for completion by late 2028.

Dizon stated that if SMAI adheres to its timeline, the first phase of the airport is expected to be operational by November 2028. The initial phase is designed to handle approximately 35 million passengers annually.

The department continues to closely monitor the implementation of the NMIA public-private partnership (PPP) initiative.

SMAI is currently engaged in land development activities for the airport and its associated facilities.

The company operates under a 50-year concession for the build-operate-transfer of the NMIA, which is a subsidiary of San Miguel Holdings Corp. under San Miguel Corporation (SMC).

However, SMC Chairman and CEO Ramon Ang reported challenges in acquiring sand necessary for land development due to a presidential order issued in 2023 that halted all reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

This shortage not only imposes additional costs, amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars over the initial budget of 735.63 billion pesos, but also delays the completion of the first phase of the airport, moving it from the previously planned date in 2027.

The NMIA is set to become the largest airport in the Philippines, ultimately featuring four parallel runways and a comprehensive range of airside and landside facilities.

The airport's final capacity is expected to support up to 100 million passengers annually, significantly alleviating congestion at the existing Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In addition to the NMIA project, SMC is leading rehabilitation efforts at NAIA through the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), which is managing a 170.6 billion peso investment to enhance NAIA's passenger capacity to 62 million a year and aircraft movements to 48 per hour.

Meanwhile, SMC's infrastructure division, Trans Aire Development Holdings Corp., also manages the Godofredo P. Ramos Airport, more commonly referred to as Caticlan Airport, which serves as the main gateway to the tourist destination of Boracay.

Dizon emphasized the importance of collaboration between the DOTr and SMC on all airport developments, expressing confidence in SMC's ability to meet existing timelines for NMIA, NAIA, and Caticlan Airport.

Discussions are planned to ensure ongoing coordination.

Additionally, in 2024, Megawide Construction Corp. was awarded a contract for the design and construction of a new PTB at Caticlan Airport, with Ang expressing a desire for its completion in a timeframe of three years or less to accommodate increasing tourist arrivals to Boracay.

As SMC focuses on these significant airport projects, Ang indicated the company's priority on fulfilling their current commitments before pursuing new opportunities.