The operator of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is launching an extensive review of its security infrastructure and revamping drop-off areas following a tragic car crash that left two people dead last Sunday.
The New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), which assumed management of the country’s main airport in September 2024, said on Tuesday that a full audit of all security bollards across NAIA is underway. This move is paired with a redesign of departure drop-off points at Terminals 1 and 2 to enhance curbside safety for travelers and airport workers.
According to NNIC, the inspection aims to identify which bollards—initially installed in 2019—require reinforcements such as deeper foundations or structural upgrades, especially in areas with high pedestrian activity. The company also confirmed that it will change the current diagonal drop-off system into a parallel unloading setup to further protect passengers and bystanders.
“Together with the planned bollard reinforcements, this adjustment will provide an added layer of protection for passengers, well-wishers, airport staff, and others who regularly access the terminal curbside,” NNIC stated.
The announcement follows a devastating incident in which an SUV crashed through a bollard at NAIA Terminal 1, killing a four-year-old daughter of an overseas Filipino worker and a 29-year-old man scheduled for an overseas business trip. Several others were injured.
The Land Transportation Office later revealed that the driver initially claimed another vehicle had cut him off, causing him to panic, but CCTV footage disproved his statement. He is now in police custody and has had his license suspended.
NNIC acknowledged the gravity of the situation, saying, “This was a serious incident, and we are treating it with the urgency it deserves. While safeguards were already in place, we recognize that there is always room to improve.”
NNIC President Ramon Ang has pledged to cover medical expenses for those injured and extend financial assistance to the bereaved families.
NNIC, composed of San Miguel Holdings Corp., RMM Asian Logistics Inc., RLW Aviation Development Inc., and South Korea’s Incheon International Airport Corp., secured the P170.6-billion NAIA concession deal with the Department of Transportation earlier this year after offering the highest revenue share to the government.
Even before taking over operations, NNIC had proposed implementing timed drop-off charges to reduce congestion—an idea modeled after practices in major international airports.
