India’s GMR Group potential front runner for US$3 billion Manila airport project amid China tensions: sources
- The government is weighing bids to redevelop Manila’s under-pressure airport, with sources saying a consortium led by India’s GMR Group could be in front
- The tender comes amid growing tensions between Manila and Beijing in the South China Sea, but the Philippines says bilateral ties ‘won’t be a factor’ in its selection
The US$3 billion airport redevelopment bid was launched last August after two previous failed attempts to expand operations at the facility, considered among the worst worldwide at 50 per cent over capacity.
The Philippines has shortlisted three out of the four international consortiums for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to Timothy John, Philippine Undersecretary for Planning and Project Development under the Department of Transportation.
“Our target is that by February 15, we are able to award this concession and sign the agreement a few weeks after that. [The] actual development is to start anytime between the second and third quarter this year,” John said, adding that commencement would depend on conditions for the handover of work between the government and the bid winner.