Legacy carrier Philippine Airlines has started operating domestic flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 2 in line with the government’s rationalization plan of airport services to decongest terminals and improve passenger convenience.
PAL corporate communications chief and spokesperson Ma. Cielo Villaluna said effective last Wednesday (May 16), all flights to and from Cagayan de Oro and Puerto Princesa will depart and arrive at Naia Terminal 2.
“Passengers arriving in Naia Terminal 2 with connecting flights in Naia Terminal 3 may avail of the inter-terminal transfer service to get to their next terminal assignment. For information on transfers from T2 to T3, passengers may approach the Transfer Desk located in the T2 arrival/ carousel area,” said Villaluna.
Under the rationalization plan, the Manila International Airport Authority will utilize terminals 1 and 3 for international flights only while terminals 2 and 4 will be used exclusively for domestic flights.
Only five out of the more than 20 airlines will be left serving Naia Terminal 1 once the government fully implemented on Aug. 31 the program.
These five airlines are Thai Airways, Saudia Airlines, Japan Airlines, Etihad Airlines and legacy carrier Philippine Airlines.
The other foreign airlines operating at the Naia Terminal 1 that will be transferred to Naia Terminal 3 include China Southern, China Airlines, China Eastern, Xiamen Air, Oman Air, Eva Air, Kuwait Air, Jetstar, Gulf Air, Korean Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Qantas Air, Malaysian Airlines, Qatar Air, Royal Brunei, Tiger Air, Jeju Air, Air Nugini and Air China.
Terminal 2 will be used only for PAL and Cebu Pacific Air domestic flights operations while Terminal 4 will handle other domestic flights service.
Under the present setup, Naia Terminal 2, which is currently being used by PAL, operates for both domestic and international flight services. But according to MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal, the said terminal was originally designed as a domestic terminal.
The Naia Terminal 3, on the other hand, was designed for international flights, but it is also being operated for both domestic and international flight services by several airlines.
Monreal explained that using these terminals for both domestic and international flights caused air traffic congestion and inconvenience for air travelers.
MIAA records showed that Terminal 1 was completed in 1981 to accommodate the country’s growing international passenger traffic levels during the 1970s. The 16-gate facility with 78 check-in counters and 24 immigration stations was designed by Leandro Locsin, a National Artist of the Philippines for Architecture.
Terminal 2 began operations in 1999. Originally envisioned as a domestic hub, the facility now houses both the international and domestic operations of the country’s flag carrier, Philippine Airlines.
While improvements raised Terminal 1’s design capacity to six million, a peak level of 7.7 million passengers was reached in 1997, causing overflow of passengers that year. Terminal 3 was the answer to this growing traffic.
Currently the largest airport in Manila, NAIA 3 stands proud on a 65-hectare property adjacent to the NAIA runway facilities. It is a two-tiered design with its ground floor handling arrivals and the 3rd level facilitating departures. Each level has 600 meters of curbside space, rendering drop offs and pickups efficient.
NAIA 3 can handle 13 million international passengers annually. The center of the building contains the head house where passenger processing is centralized. A total of 20 boarding gates and 140 Check-In-Counters can accommodate 4,000 peak hour one-way passengers.
Terminal 3 officially opened to selected domestic flights from July 2008 (initially Cebu Pacific only, then PAL’s subsidiaries Air Philippines and PAL Express), with Cebu Pacific international flights using it from August 2008.
Terminal 4, named as Manila Domestic Passenger Terminal, and still known as the Old Domestic Terminal, is the oldest of the four existing terminals. The facility hosts the operations of local carriers such as Air SWIFT, Cebgo, Philippine Air Asia and Skyjet.
Meanwhile, Monreal on Saturday ordered the suspension of visitor’s pass issued to individuals who wish to meet or send-off family, friends and relatives at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
This developed shortly as Monreal signed a memorandum reiterating strict adherence to MIAA policies and regulations on the use of access Identification Cards (IDs) issued by MIAA to all airport employees and stakeholders.”©
He said the temporary suspension of visitor’s pass shall also give the agency time to revisit its policies and regulations on its issuance.
The move came few days after authorities arrested a couple who tried to smuggle 1.9 kilos of assorted jewelry in connivance with a Customs official at NAIA Terminal 3.
Monreal’s memorandum reminds airport employees and stakeholders to confine their movements within areas indicated on their access card or duty pass. The access privilege granted to employees cannot be used to assist, meet or send off a passenger.
The access pass is only intended to enable them to carry out their duties as airport workers in their respective work stations.”©
“I will be deploying a special team to monitor compliance to the guidelines. Outright confiscation of the access card shall be done if anyone is caught violating. I will be designating confiscating officers to carry this out,” Monreal said. “©
MIAA Memorandum Circular No. 14-H Series of 2010 prescribes the policies and guidelines on the grant, issuance and use of MIAA permanent access cards and visitors pass. Penalties on their improper use range from suspension to cancellation of the access privilege and perpetual ban from NAIA premises.
“Observations, comments and suggestions from recent security assessments conducted by foreign transport departments shall help us in the review process. They are valuable inputs in the enhancement of the security features of our visitors pass,” Monreal explained.
While the visitors pass issuance is suspended, Monreal said that those who wish to have their family, friends and relatives assisted can avail of the services of the MIAA Public Affairs office through its Meet and Assist Service. They may reach the Public Affairs Office through 853-5998 or through their email at pao.miaa@gmail.com for inquiries.”©
Visitors pass for purpose of meeting official guests of government shall be subject to submission of an official request signed by the head of agency or his authorized representative and subject to approval of the Office of the General Manager. “©
According to Presidential Anti-Corruption Commission commissioner Greco Belgica, at least P10 billion worth of smuggled jewelry and drugs passed through NAIA through the intervention of several high-ranking government officials.
Belgica said the gold came mostly from Dubai and Bangkok. He added that the gold from Dubai are 22 carats but the smugglers will only declare it at the Bureau of Customs as 18 carats to reduce its duties and taxes.
Belgica said the government officials who frequent the airport to “assist” their clients include someone from the Pasay City prosecutors office, a Justice assistant secretary, Customs supervisors, BOC-CIIS director, and a former mayor.
The PACC commissioner also identified a certain “Mimbalawang” as the alleged smuggler of drugs and jewelry into the country through Naia Terminal 3.
“These people have probably links to rebels but we will still investigate,” he said.
He added that only recently, the Mimbalawang couple were apprehended at Naia Terminal 3 for smuggling 1.9 kilos of assorted pieces of gold jewelry valued at more or less P6 million.
Belgica also identified a customs supervisor named Lomodot Macabando who was trying to assist Mimbalawang in an attempt to smuggle gold.