SAN Miguel Corp. (SMC) is on track to complete the first runway of the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulacan by 2028, with the possibility of finishing the facility ahead of schedule, Chairman and CEO Ramon Ang said.
Speaking during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting on Tuesday, Ang said construction of the airport’s first runway was continuing to progress despite delays affecting other components of the massive infrastructure project.
“Yes, we are on track to finish the first runway for 2028. In fact, it can even be earlier,” Ang said in response to a shareholder’s question.
He said the runway was currently undergoing surcharging works, a process used to stabilize reclaimed land before major construction proceeds.
“I believe the first runway will be ready by at least the second quarter of 2028,” Ang said.
While the runway construction remained on schedule, Ang acknowledged that the passenger terminal and logistics center may take longer to complete than originally planned.
“What will delay us a bit is the passenger terminal and the logistics center,” he said.
Ang said the development of the logistics hub had been affected by the need to complete extensive land preparation works.
“The logistics center is on Phase 9, which requires about 7 million cubic meters of sand, which was supposed to be finished by 2025, but now I think we’ll be able to finish it by the end of 2026,” he said.
Ang said the first runway is expected to be operational in 2028, allowing airport activities to begin while other facilities continue to be developed.
The New Manila International Airport is one of SMC’s flagship infrastructure projects and is envisioned to help decongest the country’s main gateway while increasing airport capacity to support long-term economic growth.
San Miguel shares on Tuesday closed unchanged at P67.10.
