LONG queues at immigration may soon be a thing of the past at NAIA Terminal 3.
New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) is rolling out biometric Immigration e-Gates that allow eligible passengers to clear immigration in as fast as 20 seconds—one of the most significant upgrades yet under the airport’s ongoing modernization program.
A total of 78 biometric e-Gates are being installed across NAIA in phases, with units already operational at Terminals 1 and 3, where international flights are handled.
The system uses biometric identity verification and document authentication, allowing travelers to move through immigration more quickly while still meeting strict border security requirements.
The technology is powered by Amadeus, a global travel technology firm whose systems are used in major airports worldwide.
For passengers, the upgrade translates to smoother processing, shorter lines, and less stress—especially during peak travel seasons.
Beyond faster immigration, Terminal 3 is also seeing major lifestyle upgrades.
Two new food halls are opening to expand dining options and improve passenger comfort. The All-Filipino Tambayan Food Hall, a 6,200-square-meter space that can seat up to 2,000 guests, features 17 homegrown brands showcasing regional Filipino flavors.
Complementing it is the Mezzanine Food Hall, spanning 6,801 square meters and offering 22 stand-alone restaurants and cafés for a wider mix of dining choices.
NNIC is also inaugurating a new Dignitaries Lounge and preparing to open an airside Food Village at Terminal 3, adding even more options after security clearance.
“These improvements are changes the public can actually see and feel,” NNIC President Ramon S. Ang said, noting that more upgrades are expected as modernization continues across NAIA.
Since the start of the public-private partnership, NNIC has remitted over P57 billion to the government, with further enhancements set to roll out in the coming months.
