• As the country braces for the annual Holy Week travel rush, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport is rolling out a suite of enhancements aimed at making the travel experience faster, safer and more comfortable
• Enhancements include a new OFW lounge with direct access to immigration and security, complete with sleeping areas, showers, and dining options
• Upgrades aim to decongest terminals, reduce queues, and improve baggage handling and overall passenger flow ahead of the Holy Week travel surge
• Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon emphasized the goal of making travel experiences faster, safer, and more comfortable, particularly for OFWs and foreign visitors
As the country braces for the annual Holy Week travel rush, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is rolling out a suite of enhancements aimed at making the travel experience faster, safer, and more comfortable, led by the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC).
The NNIC, a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiative led by San Miguel Corporation, has introduced upgrades, including a state-of-the-art lounge dedicated to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs).
The OFW Lounge offers direct access to immigration and security, and features sleeping areas, showers, a dining area, and even massage chairs — streamlining the travel experience for OFWs arriving early or transiting through the airport.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, joined by key Cabinet officials and airport stakeholders, emphasized that improving the airport experience has been a directive from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. — part of a broader push to ease the daily struggles of Filipino commuters and elevate the country’s travel infrastructure.
“In less than a year, we’ve already seen meaningful progress in improving the airport experience,” Department of Transportation (DOTr) chief Dizon said during a media briefing on April 10 at the NAIA Terminal 3.
Dizon emphasized that passenger convenience and speed are top priorities, noting that operational efficiency will be critical in handling the expected surge in travelers during the Lenten season. He added that DOTr is coordinating closely with other agencies to improve the flow of passengers at airports, seaports, and bus terminals nationwide.
He highlighted the seamless features of the new lounge: “All you need is your passport. No forms, no hassle. You can rest, eat, and when it’s time, head straight to your flight without having to pass through the main terminal again.”
“We’re really going to work together with the airport officials, with the airport operator, with the DMW (Department of Migrant Workers) so that we can speed up the experience of our countrymen. It’s really all about passenger experience. Right now, there have already been a lot of improvements but we should never stop,” said Dizon.
READ: Dizon orders immediate expansion works for Siargao airport terminal
