The group, composed of the Tieng family and SM Group’s Belle Corp, intends to rehabilitate the present Danilo Atienza airport in Sangley and use it as a third runway to cater to private jets and smaller low-cost carriers.
“We have submitted an unsolicited proposal to rehabilitate Danilo Atienza and finish it in one year. If the government accepts this, we can absorb all general aviation from NAIA and some low-cost carriers, so NAIA can handle more commercial flights,” Lim said.
The Danilo Atienza airport’s runway is expected to complement the initial two runways under ARRC’s plan to build the Sangley integrated complex.
ARRC’s plan to develop the Sangley integrated complex involves building an international airport, seaport, as well as mixed-use development on reclaimed land.
Lim said both projects could be undertaken without government having to spend a single centavo.
The group could finish the new Sangley airport project within five years, upon government’s issuance of the notice to proceed.
Through the Sangley integrated complex, ARRC wants to help ease congestion in Metro Manila.
As the Sangley integrated complex would have other components, ARRC said the project would also help position the country as a manufacturing and export hub in Asia.
“This would make it convenient for manufacturers to bring in their raw materials and ship out their finished products because the seaport and airport are just next door,” Lim said.
