The Manila International Airport Authority said over the weekend it will install more Immigration counters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 to ease congestion and prevent long queues of departing passengers.
MIAA officer-in-charge Bryan Co said eight additional counters would be made available next week, bringing the total to 44 for NAIA’s busiest terminal.
The airport management hopes to complete by December this year the construction of an immigration annex, where six four-man counters would be constructed which would require an additional 24 more immigration officers.
Once completed, the annex will serve as processing area for overseas Filipino workers, persons with disability, senior citizens and diplomats.
“As we embark on all these tasks, we continuously appeal for understanding and patience from all our stakeholders. With everyone’s support, we can have a better NAIA that we can all be proud of,” said Co.
Co said MIAA remained committed to delivering on its promise to expand the immigration area in Terminal 3 as discussed with the Bureau of Immigration during the planning stages of their Schedule and Terminal Assignment Rationalization or STAR program.
Terminal 3 started the year with 26 departure Immigration counters and has since then increased to 36 counters in time for the last phase of the STAR program this month.
Four months ago, the Immigration bureau prohibited air travelers from using mobile phones while at the Immigration counters.
The ban came following numerous complaints of travelers on social media about the long lines at the Immigration booths, especially at Terminal 3. There were also reports of missed flights due to the long queues.
More than 20 passengers of a local airline were unable to board their flight to Hong Kong in January due to long queues at the airport. The airline provided them with options such as free rebooking, full refund or travel fund.