Manila: The Philippines is set to become a leading regional player in the aviation sector, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said Wednesday. Speaking at the Aviation Summit at the Marriott Hotel in Pasay City, Bautista said transformation in the aviation industry is being fueled by increased investments and the involvement of the private sector in infrastructure, human capital, and sustainable development. 'The Philippine aviation industry is on the cusp of a significant transformation. [The Philippines can] finally catch up on the significant under-investment in airport development over the years,' he said. He cited the modernization of the country's major airports such as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) that is expected to double the airport's capacity from 35 million to 62 million passengers annually, in addition to increasing air traffic movements from 40 to 48. An estimated 58,000 jobs are expected to be generated due to increased tourism arrivals and spending. The construction o f the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) in Bulacan is slated to begin in 2025, with San Miguel Corporation set to build an elevated highway and railway line for connectivity. Bautista also highlighted the recent upgrade of the country's air navigation management system by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). Further upgrades in Communications, Navigation, Surveillance / Air Traffic Management (CNS ATM) systems are also scheduled for next month through a partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Other airports with upgrades that are in the pipeline include the Tuguegarao, Bacon, Loakan, Daet, Cauayan, Vigan, and Candon airports. In Visayas and Mindanao, airports for improvement are Catbalogan, Dumaguete, Kabankalan, and Calbayog as well as those in Zamboanga, Mati, M'lang, Jolo, Siargao, and Tandag. These upgrades, Bautista said, are seen to lead to an increase in passenger capacity while generating employment and tourist arrivals. The 2024 Aviation Summ it, with the theme 'Climbing Towards Sustainable, Safe, Smart Philippine Aviation,' is a two-day expo that highlights the aviation sector's critical role in the country's economic progress. It was organized by the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines , the Asian Business Aviation Association, and the Department of Transportation. Source: Philippines News Agency