Manila: The head of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) announced that renovation works at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 4 have been halted. However, there are plans for the construction of a new Terminal 5, as revealed by the private operator involved.

According to Philippines News Agency, MIAA general manager Eric Ines confirmed, “Yes (it’s true) but NNIC (New NAIA Infra Corp.) plans to construct Terminal 5.” This announcement follows the October declaration by operator NNIC that Terminal 4, the oldest among all NAIA terminals, would undergo “safety upgrades” and renovations starting November 6, with an expected reopening in February.

Despite these initial plans, Ines stated that “as of now, the plan is not to open Terminal 4,” though he did not provide further details. The MIAA functions as a regulator for NAIA under a public-private partnership (PPP) agreement with NNIC.

In its October press release, NNIC expressed its aim to enhance Terminal 4’s comfort and efficiency for travelers. The operator also mentioned that updates on the renovation’s progress would be shared on its social media platforms.

Renovations at Terminal 4 reportedly commenced on November 6 as scheduled, but no additional updates on its status have been disclosed. Previously, the terminal served airlines like AirSWIFT, Sunlight Air, and CebGo, facilitating flights primarily to island destinations using smaller aircraft.

The Manila Slot Coordination Committee, which includes representatives from MIAA, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), and the NNIC general manager, is planning to gradually relocate turboprop operations out of NAIA. The initial phase will move 30 percent of these operations starting March, with the full transition planned for the winter schedule from 2025 to 2026, as stated by Ines.

Ines also mentioned that the Philippine Village Hotel must be demolished before the construction of Terminal 5 or the extension of Terminal 2 can begin. The new terminal is expected to accommodate an additional 35 million passengers annually, according to previous statements from NNIC.