After its first year of operating Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) is preparing to introduce a facial recognition system powered by Collins Aerospace. The technology will allow passengers to check in, drop bags, pass through security, and board flights using only their face, streamlining airport processes with biometric verification and artificial intelligence.
The launch will cap a milestone first year for NNIC, which officially assumed control of NAIA on September 14, 2024.
Record passenger and flight growth
Between September 14, 2024 and September 13, 2025, NAIA handled 51.7 million passengers — up 6% from the previous year — and recorded 283,771 flights. The airport also achieved an all-time high on-time performance of 92.12% in a single day.
Operational changes such as reconfigured parking stands, expanded taxiways, and the removal of abandoned aircraft freed up critical space, enabling smoother airside operations and new domestic and international routes with 47 airline partners.
Terminal upgrades and passenger services
Inside the terminals, travelers have experienced visible improvements. Enhancements include 11,820 new seats, 2,500 baggage trolleys, 21 new air-conditioning units and chillers, and Wi-Fi speed upgraded from 1G to 10G. All elevators, escalators, and walkalators are now fully functional, while 34 new boarding bridges are on order.
Renovated restrooms are underway across terminals, and a dedicated OFW lounge in Terminal 3 has served nearly 500,000 overseas Filipino workers, with a second lounge planned for Terminal 1.
Passenger mobility has also been boosted with 20 new shuttle buses, which have transported more than half a million travelers between terminals. On the baggage side, 51.3 million bags were processed in the past year without the long queues that once plagued NAIA.
Sustainability and global standards
NNIC has begun embedding international benchmarks, pursuing ISO certifications in quality, environment, and safety. Sustainability initiatives included clearing 266,463 tons of waste and silt from nearby waterways to mitigate flooding, banning single-use plastics, implementing water conservation and composting, and introducing a Tenant Environmental Handbook to guide green practices.
Financial milestones and future outlook
Starting September 14, NAIA’s terminal fees will be updated for the first time in 20 years, aligning its rates with other Philippine airports while remaining among the lowest in Asia. Since the 2024 turnover, NNIC has remitted ₱48.3 billion to the government, including a ₱30-billion upfront payment, with 82% of revenues directed to the state.
“Operating an airport the size and scale of NAIA will always be demanding. But what this first year has shown is that with teamwork, discipline, and the dedication of our people, real change is possible,” said NNIC President Ramon S. Ang. “Together with government and our partners, we will sustain these gains and finally deliver a truly world-class NAIA.”
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