Andrew was recently interviewed by the Singapore – based Business Times on the latest plans to redevelop Sangley Point airport in Cavite province south west of Manila.
Back in 2005, he acted as an expert witness in Fraport’s ICSID arbitration against the government re NAIA terminal 3 in central Manila. In 2019, he recommended that the Philippines government rationalise its policy of progressing four airports for Manila. In 2024, he welcomed the news that NAIA would be redeveloped.
But Manila still does not need four airports. Sangley Point has long been the weakest of the projects and earlier plans have fallen over. GMR Aero has been successful in building out Clark (it sold its stake to JV partner Megawide last year) and Mactan – Cebu (where it now provides technical services to Aboitiz) in the Philippines where there was comparatively little competition. So, if they progress Sangley Point as an aero – city, i.e. real estate with an airport at its heart, expect them to ask the government for much more support.
