Manila, Philippines – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency and New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) have signed an agreement to support the modernization of security screening infrastructure at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), as part of the ongoing upgrade at the country’s main international gateway.
USTDA will fund technical assistance to help NNIC assess and develop upgraded security screening systems across NAIA’s terminals, with the aim of improving passenger safety and screening efficiency and aligning the airport with international aviation security standards. NAIA is also a critical last-point-of-departure airport for U.S.-bound flights. This project will enhance the protection of U.S. citizens and goods traveling through NAIA, identify and counter potential threats before they reach the United States, and modernize the Philippines’ primary gateway to meet world-class aviation security standards.
“By working together to modernize security at NAIA, we are protecting travelers on both sides of the Pacific,” said Thomas R. Hardy, USTDA’s Deputy Director. “This project stops threats before they reach American shores, deepens cooperation with a vital ally, andexemplifies the partnerships that sustain a free and open Indo-Pacific.”
The USTDA-funded technical assistance will facilitate project financing and U.S. exports by providing U.S. private sector expertise for technical, operational and financial analyses. The resulting recommendations will include security screening concepts for all terminals that are aligned with U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) standards for last-point-of-departure airports. The assistance will also identify U.S. suppliers of advanced screening equipment for deployment to the project.
USTDA-funded activities are carried out by U.S. companies. The request for proposals for this technical assistance will be posted here: www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.
NAIA is undergoing a large-scale modernization and expansion to reach a target capacity of 62 million passengers per year by 2028, increasing from its 2025 passenger flow of 52 million in a facility designed for 35 million passengers. By supporting the replacement of older security systems and implementing international best practices, the technical assistance will enhance passenger safety, improve screening efficiency, and ensure that security measures meet both TSA and International Civil Aviation Organization standards.
NNIC President Ramon S. Ang said: “We are grateful to USTDA for supporting this important part of NAIA’s modernization. The assistance will help us take a more detailed look at how security screening across the airport can be improved and standardized, while giving us the benefit of U.S. expertise and experience. We look forward to working closely with USTDA as we identify the systems and solutions that best fit NAIA’s needs and growing passenger volumes.”
This assistance is part of USTDA’s work under its U.S.-Southeast Asia and Pacific Aviation Cooperation Program, a public-private partnership that promotes U.S. industry and government engagement in key Indo-Pacific aviation markets.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency is the U.S. government’s first mover on critical infrastructure development in emerging markets, advancing the shared strategic priorities of the United States and our overseas partners while creating opportunities to deploy trusted U.S. solutions. USTDA funds the upfront technical work that accelerates the development of infrastructure projects, helping them attract the financing they need for implementation and procurement of U.S. goods and services.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: press@ustda.gov