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The Sangley Point International Airport project is now considered under the initial pre-construction phase with financial arrangements being finalized and start of construction targeted by the third quarter of 2027, according to an official of the project advisory group
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Construction period will be about 17 quarters while the initial phase of commercial operations is eyed by 2031
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The first phase of construction, which costs approximately US$2 billion, comprises a 251-hectare reclamation development to add to the existing land, extension of the existing runway to 3.2 km, a new passenger terminal, apron, cargo facilities, and all necessary landside estates
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Aside from the main airport project, SPIA’s development also includes the construction of a 4.4 km Sangley Boulevard and the 190-hectare Cargo City
The Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA) project is now considered under the pre-construction phase with financial arrangements being finalized and start of construction targeted by the third quarter of 2027, according to an official of the project advisory group.
Construction period will be about 17 quarters, or about four years and a quarter, while first phase of commercial operations eyed by 2031, according to the presentation of CFP Transaction Advisors managing director and senior advisor Sol Castro during last week’s Luzon Economic Corridor Investors Forum.
CFP is part of the project development management and advisory group appointed by the Cavite provincial government for the SPIA project.
Castro said all consents needed for the project, including the signing of agreement with the provincial government of Cavite and clearance from the Philippine Competition Commission, have all been met.
The project is now awaiting approval from the Philippine Reclamation Authority on the final reclamation configuration, finalization of land access arrangements with the Department of National Defense, and airspace clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.
Last August, President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. issued Administrative Order No. 44, which directs all concerned national government agencies and instrumentalities, and encouraged Cavite local government units to prioritize and expedite the processing of all permits, clearances, licenses, certifications, and other authorizations required for the implementation of the SPIA project.
READ: Marcos orders agencies to fast-track Sangley Point airport project
In 2023, the Cavite provincial government and SPIA Development Consortium (SDC) signed a joint venture (JV) and development agreement for the SPIA project. The public-private partnership project will be implemented through a JV development agreement with the parties involved in SDC, namely House of Investments, Inc., Cavitex Holdings Inc., Samsung C&T Corp., MacroAsia Corp., Munich Airport International GmbH, and Ove Arup & Partners Hongkong Ltd.
SDC on September 14, 2022 was officially awarded the contract after no firm challenged the consortium’s unsolicited proposal. SDC submitted its unsolicited proposal for a JV with the Cavite provincial government to develop SPIA in 2021, after the latter declared as failed the second bidding for the project in October 2021.
SPIA is envisioned to be a modern, world-class net zero emission international hub airport and a new gateway in the greater capital region
The first phase, which costs approximately US$2 billion, comprises a 251-hectare reclamation development to add to the existing land, extension of the existing runway from 2.1 kilometers (km) to 3.2 km, a new passenger terminal, apron, cargo facilities, and all necessary landside estates.
Castro noted that the development is going to be largely put on an enabling reclamation platform and existing land that is all government-owned.
“So, in other words, it’s going to reduce the land assembly and the land consolidation requirements. There’s going to be minimal displacement except for the Philippine Navy facilities that are there, and that there are no right-of-way risks,” he added.
Moreover, SPIA already has an existing aerodrome.
The second phase, meanwhile, “will be designed in from day one”, Castro said. This includes expansion to the full 544-hectare landform, which will be phased as demand arrives.
Sangley Boulevard and Cargo City
Aside from the main airport project, SPIA’s development also includes the construction of the Sangley Boulevard and the Cargo City, both already approved by the government.
Sangley Boulevard is a 4.4 km high-speed access expressway and causeway that will connect SPIA straight to Manila-Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX) and onward to Cavite-Laguna Expressway (CALAX).
Construction begins by the first quarter of 2027 and is eyed for completion by the first quarter of 2029.
Cargo City, meanwhile, is a 190-hectare development that is meant for aviation support, logistics, warehousing, and e-commerce fulfillment.
In an interview with media at the sidelines of the event, Castro said SPIA will be able to handle wide-body aircraft and freighters.
SPIA is part of the Greater Capital Region multi-airport gateway system together with the Ninoy Aquino AInternational Airport, Clark International Airport, and New Manila International Airport.—Roumina Pablo
