Manila: The United States government is funding the feasibility study of the proposed Sangley Point International Airport (SPIA), the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) announced on Tuesday. The study aims to address the Philippines' projected aviation needs by enhancing infrastructure and implementing strong security measures for direct flights to major U.S. aviation hubs.
According to Philippines News Agency, the USTDA emphasized the significance of the high volume of direct international travel between the United States and the Philippines, citing it as a reflection of the strong bilateral relationship and mutual desire for safe and efficient passenger traffic. USTDA Deputy Director Thomas Hardy noted that the project is part of shared priorities with the Philippine government to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Although the USTDA did not disclose the funding amount, it awarded the grant to Philippine project developer Cavitex Holdings Inc. Cavitex selected California-based The S-A-P Group, LLC (SAP) to conduct the study. SAP will provide U.S. technical expertise covering air traffic forecasts, financial analyses, and recommendations for advanced security screening at the proposed airport, which is expected to offer direct flights to the U.S.
The USTDA remarked that the study would promote the adoption of U.S. solutions, including screening technologies, airport construction components, safety and security equipment, telecommunications networks, and consulting services. The project aligns with the Luzon Economic Corridor's objective to strengthen connectivity and economic resilience in a critical region of the Philippines.
Cavitex Holdings Inc. expressed gratitude for the grant, highlighting its importance in accelerating the development of SPIA, a crucial infrastructure project under the SPIA Development Consortium. Leonides Virata, president and CEO of Cavitex, stated that USTDA's technical assistance would support project planning and implementation by facilitating access to advanced U.S. expertise, innovative technologies, and global best practices.
Virata added that the SPIA initiative would deliver transformative benefits for the Philippines, including the creation of tens of thousands of jobs, improved mobility, and unlocking billions in long-term economic activity. The construction of SPIA is expected to alleviate Metro Manila's growing travel demand and air traffic congestion by expanding capacity for both cargo and passenger traffic. Metro Manila is currently served by Ninoy Aquino International Airport, which handled approximately 52 million travelers in 2025.
