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The United States Trade and Development Agency and New NAIA Infra Corp. signed an agreement to support the modernization of security screening infrastructure at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport
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USTDA will fund technical assistance covering upgraded screening systems across all NAIA terminals
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The assistance will assess technical, operational, and financial requirements and support potential project financing and US exports
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Recommendations will include screening concepts aligned with US Transportation Security Administration standards for last-point-of-departure airports
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The project will identify US suppliers of advanced security screening equipment
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NAIA is a critical last-point-of-departure airport for US-bound flights
The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) and New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) have signed an agreement to support the modernization of security screening infrastructure at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as part of the ongoing upgrade of the country’s main international gateway.
Under the agreement, USTDA will fund technical assistance to assess and develop upgraded security screening systems across NAIA’s terminals, improving passenger safety and screening efficiency while aligning the airport with international aviation security standards.
“By working together to modernize security at NAIA, we are protecting travelers on both sides of the Pacific,” Thomas Hardy, USTDA’s deputy director, said in a statement.
“This project stops threats before they reach American shores, deepens cooperation with a vital ally, and exemplifies the partnerships that sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific,” he added.
The project is particularly significant for US-bound travel, as NAIA serves as a critical last point of departure for flights to the United States. The upgraded systems are expected to strengthen the protection of US citizens and goods passing through NAIA and help identify and counter potential threats before they reach the United States.
The USTDA-funded technical assistance will provide US private-sector expertise for technical, operational, and financial analyses to help facilitate project financing and US exports.
The recommendations will cover security screening concepts for all NAIA terminals, aligning with US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) standards for last-point-of-departure airports. Additionally, the assistance will pinpoint US suppliers of advanced screening equipment for potential deployment at the airport.
USTDA-funded activities are conducted by US companies. The agency will post the request for proposals for technical assistance on its website.
NAIA, managed and operated by NNIC since September 2024 under a 15-year concession, is undergoing a large-scale modernization and expansion program to increase its capacity to 62 million passengers annually by 2028, up from 52 million in 2025. The airport was originally designed to handle 35 million passengers.
READ: NNIC remits P78B to gov’t, spends P6.8B for NAIA upgrades in 2 years
The technical assistance will aid in replacing outdated security systems and implementing international best practices to enhance passenger safety and screening efficiency, guaranteeing that security measures comply with both TSA and International Civil Aviation Organization standards.
“We are grateful to USTDA for supporting this important part of NAIA’s modernization. The assistance will help us take a more detailed look at how security screening across the airport can be improved and standardized, while giving us the benefit of US expertise and experience. We look forward to working closely with USTDA as we identify the systems and solutions that best fit NAIA’s needs and growing passenger volumes,” said NNIC president Ramon Ang.
READ: NNIC touts improvements as NAIA handles highest passenger record
The assistance is part of USTDA’s US-Southeast Asia and Pacific Aviation Cooperation Program, a public-private partnership promoting collaboration between US industry and government in key Indo-Pacific aviation markets.
