The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Saturday announced it is set implement a new measure to address passenger congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during the holiday season.
MIAA general manager Cesar Chiong said the innovation will largely address the problem at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, especially in Terminals 2 and 4.
“The move is also timely as NAIA expects a surge in passenger volume in the coming weeks,” Chiong said.
Starting on Dec. 1, commercial flights of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) to and from the United States, Canada, the Middle East and Bali, Indonesia will be transferred to NAIA Terminal 1 from Terminal 2. PAL flights to other international and domestic destinations will remain in Terminal 2.
Chiong said in view of the transfer, about 7,000 passengers daily will be moving to Terminal 1 where the average passenger volume currently stands at 13,000 daily.
“NAIA Terminal 1 is currently operating at 30 percent capacity of its pre-pandemic level. An additional 7,000 passengers added to its daily passenger volume is manageable,”Chiong said.
The MIAA emphasized that the check-in procedures employed in Terminal 2 will be retained and implemented in NAIA Terminal 1.
US bound passengers are advised to provide ample time for TSA-mandated secondary checks and other security inspections as a requirement for all US-bound flights.
For PAL passengers arriving in NAIA Terminal 1 who have connecting flights through NAIA Terminal 2, the airline will provide shuttle service while others with connecting international or domestic flights in NAIA Terminal 3 and NAIA Terminal 4 may take the complimentary MIAA shuttle buses to bring them to the said Terminals.
Air Asia flights to and from Cebu and Caticlan will also be transferred from NAIA Terminal 4 to NAIA Terminal 3 beginning Dec. 16. The transfer will shift 40 percent of Air Asia’s daily passenger volume from Terminal 4 thereby improving the situation at the Terminal’s pre-departure area where congestion is usually observed.
Chiong urged PAL and Air Asia to strictly abide by their slot schedules to avoid consequential delays if their first flight for the day fails to leave on time.
“This is really where the problem will arise so, I urge you to always be mindful of your on-time-performance,” Chiong said during his recent meeting with officials of the two airline companies.
He also urged them to ensure maximum deployment of their ground personnel, and guarantee good working condition of their aircraft and ground equipment.
