NAIA Power Interruption Frustrates DOTr Chief

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) experienced multiple power outages lasting between one and 24 minutes across three terminals during the first weekend of March.

Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon urged the airport’s private operator to swiftly address the issue and implement an immediate solution.

He cited Sunday’s power disruptions that affected all three NAIA terminals—Terminal 1 lost power at 7:40 a.m. and was restored by 7:45 a.m., Terminal 2 experienced an outage at 7:24 a.m. and regained electricity at 7:48 a.m., while Terminal 3 went dark at 8:00 a.m. and resumed operations at 8:01 a.m.

He stressed, “Five minutes is too long, unacceptable. Generator should kick in within a minute.”

Remedying the issue

Eric Ines, general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), attributed the NAIA power outage to an electrical overload from Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), which triggered a power trip affecting the airfield and all three terminals. MIAA now serves as NAIA’s regulator following the entry of the New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), the airport’s new private operator.

“NNIC general manager Lito Alvarez told me they would immediately fix this, and that there is a Meralco emergency response team on standby 24/7,” Ines explained.

Though Dizon acknowledged that NAIA’s aging infrastructure presents technical challenges that will take time for the new management to resolve, he reiterated the contract’s requirements. “We have to meet the standards contained in the privatization agreement, which mandates that power be restored within one minute,” he stated.

Despite these challenges, he acknowledged NNIC’s initiatives to establish a lasting solution to the airport’s persistent power disruptions. 

(Also read: Is Our Power Grid Ready for Extreme Heat?)

Power partnership

Last December, NAIA’s new operator, NNIC, partnered with Meralco to improve power reliability across all four terminals. The agreement is part of efforts to modernize the airport and enhance its infrastructure.

During the signing ceremony, Meralco Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan stated that improving NAIA’s power reliability would “help empower the tourism and travel industry, support economic growth and enrich the travel experience for countless travelers.”

As part of the partnership, Meralco and NNIC are working on key projects, including the construction of a 115-kilovolt (kV) to 34.5-kv gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) substation to supply power to all NAIA terminals, set for completion by December 2026.

The upcoming NAIA substation will work alongside Meralco’s existing NAIA-3 facility, featuring two 83-megavolt ampere (MVA) transformer banks and six 34.5 kV underground feeders to improve reliability, ensure backup power, and support future expansion.

Meralco and NNIC are also developing an underground power distribution system to enhance reliability and minimize disruptions. Field surveys and data-sharing for the project will begin soon, with completion planned through 2026.

Meanwhile, Meralco subsidiary MServ will install a 4,900-kilovolt ampere (KVA) uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system at six key locations, including NAIA Terminal 3 and the airfield, to ensure stable electricity.

NNIC President Ramong Ang explained, “These efforts directly improve functionality, safety, and the passenger experience, setting the foundation for a world-class airport that every Filipino can be proud of.”

(Also read: EPIRA Reforms: Will They Deliver Affordable and Reliable Power?)

Why reliable power matters

NAIA has experienced multiple power outages in the past. In September 2022, a blackout at Terminal 3 caused delays for at least 31 flights, forcing manual check-ins, baggage handling, and longer immigration processing.

In June 2023, another outage at Terminal 3 led to seven flight cancellations and long immigration lines. To resolve the issue, the former operator, Manila International Airport Authority, conducted multiple scheduled maintenance efforts.

NAIA’s persistent power issues are largely caused by outdated infrastructure struggling to meet the needs of a busy, modern airport. As Ang noted, years of insufficient investment have contributed to this ongoing challenge.

A recent headliner in the international sphere is London’s Heathrow Airport shutdown for nearly 24 hours due to a power outage last March 21. The incident caused the cancellation of over 1,300 flights, affecting approximately 250,000 passengers worldwide.

In response, British authorities have launched an investigation into the nation’s energy resilience and the airport’s crisis management during the outage.

In his opinion piece, Meralco Vice President and Head of Corporate Communications Joe Zaldarriaga highlighted the broader importance of investing in the airport’s stable power supply. 

“Supporting the modernization of NAIA will result in an array of economic benefits that will not only bolster the country’s progress but also positively impact the lives of many—travelers, workers, investors, and tourists,” he wrote.

He added that as the Philippines aims to establish itself as a top tourism hotspot and a key business hub in the region, upgrading NAIA is essential to accommodate increasing demand, align with global benchmarks, and maintain long-term competitiveness.

For now, Dizon revealed that NNIC is exploring a direct link to the national power grid to meet NAIA’s substantial energy needs, navigating around restrictions imposed by Meralco.

Sources:

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/2042643/extended-power-outage-at-naia-irks-dotr-chief

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1245715

https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1239565

https://www.pna.gov.ph/index.php/opinion/pieces/988-partnerships-for-progress