The upcoming partial operation of the New Manila International Airport (NMIA) by 2028 is expected to spur major growth in the Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport, according to regional trade officials.

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Region III Director Edna Dizon said the construction of NMIA’s terminal building—set to begin in January 2026—will mark a new chapter in regional development by unlocking opportunities for trade, investment, logistics, and employment across Central Luzon.

Dizon emphasized the strategic advantage of the airport’s proximity to the Bulacan Special Economic Zone and Freeport, enabling faster and more efficient movement of goods, people, and services. The zone covers a wide area across Bulakan, Malolos City, Meycauayan City, and the municipalities of Paombong, Guiguinto, Balagtas, Bocaue, Marilao, Obando, and Santa Maria.

According to data from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), the airport’s 240-gate terminal building—part of a ₱740 billion total project cost—is being developed by SMC Aerocity Inc., with land development nearing completion. Construction is being financed through a ₱120 billion loan.

Three global engineering and design firms—Groupe ADP Ingénierie (France), Meinhardt Group (Australia), and Jacobs Engineering Group (USA)—have been tapped to design and construct the facility. Dutch firm Boskalis Westminster is handling land development on the 2,500-hectare coastal site in the town of Bulakan.

Once fully operational, the NMIA is envisioned to serve up to 100 million passengers annually and position Bulacan as a hub for international air travel and commerce. The project is being implemented under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) scheme, backed by Republic Act 11506, which granted San Miguel Corporation a 50-year franchise to develop and manage the airport.