San Miguel Corp has indicated that the first runway of the PHP35 billion (US$560 million) New Manila International Airport could be completed ahead of its 2028 target, reported London's Air Cargo Week.

Chairman and Chief Executive Ramon S. Ang told shareholders that the Bulacan aviation project remains broadly on track, with operational readiness possible by the second quarter of 2028. He noted that ancillary infrastructure, such as the passenger terminal and logistics hub, will take longer to complete.

The logistics center, originally scheduled for completion in 2025, is now expected to be finished by the end of 2026. Mr. Ang attributed these delays to large-scale earthworks and shortages of fill sand linked to competing reclamation projects in Manila Bay.

The 2,500-hectare airport is designed to handle 35 million passengers annually in its initial phase, expanding to 100 million once fully developed. Phase one includes two of the four planned parallel runways and a major passenger terminal.

Mr. Ang stated that runway delivery remains insulated from disruption risks despite bottlenecks in construction inputs. The project is positioned as a flagship development for the Philippines' aviation sector, intended to relieve congestion at Ninoy Aquino International Airport and support growth across Greater Manila.

The airport is also expected to serve surrounding economic corridors, including Central Luzon and CALABARZON, thereby strengthening connectivity and regional competitiveness.