Airport authorities on Friday accused some airlines of using the Ninoy Aquino International Airport runway overlay project as an alibi to cancel flights to the detriment of air travelers.
The Manila International Airport Authority is undertaking the Runway Overlay Project for Runway 06/24, which entails longer runway closure from the usual 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m., to midnight to 6 a.m. daily except Sundays.
The project, which will last until the end of first quarter, also includes degreasing and de-rubberizing works necessary to keep the international runway safe for landing and take-off.
Meanwhile, two units of closed-circuit television monitors are now installed in every baggage carousel to prevent pilferage at the NAIA and for the passengers to actually see the luggage coming out from the conveyor upon arrival.
Manila International Airport Authority general manager Eddie Monreal said all NAIA terminal baggage conveyors and carousel areas were now equipped with CCTV and monitors while the baggage loaders wears body cameras to eliminate “pilferage.”
“All passengers that arrived can monitor what is happening while their luggage are being transported from the plane to the baggage conveyors,” Monreal said.
Monreal tapped his men from the Airport Police Department at the tarmac to monitor the transporting of baggage from the plane to the build-up station and vice versa to ensure the safety of passenger’s baggage.
He said all personnel in the tarmac must be frisked before entering or exiting the area, most especially those working from the aircraft to build up station and those who transport baggage of passengers.
“I am appealing to everyone and to all service providers employees to do what is right and don’t put our country in a bad light,” the MIAA chief said.
The baggage build area is were all luggage of both arriving and outgoing passengers are being sort and loaded toward the baggage carousel at the arrival area and at plane, respectively. It is jointly manned by airline employees and airport baggage handling and security personnel.
“It is time to make our airport an airport free from pilferage,” said Monreal.
Last year, the MIAA management terminated its Lease and Concession Agreement with Miascor Ground Handling Corp. due to alleged pilferage committed by their employees.
Monreal had ordered all baggage handlers and security providers at the airport to wear body cameras while on duty to prevent incidents of baggage theft.
He also ordered his men to strictly implement the “no pocket” policy at the baggage breakdown and build-up areas.
The MIAA chief said since he took over in July 2016, the MIAA embarked on an all-out campaign to cleanse the ranks of its own police force as well as civilian workers assigned at the NAIA.
Monreal also sought the cooperation of partner airlines to police their ranks and help MIAA in ridding the ramp areas of scalawags.
In NAIA alone, some 26 pilferage cases are reported in 2016 and 18 of them reportedly done by ground handlers of Miascor, according to MIAA.
The number of pilferage cases has been reduced from 26 to seven in 2017.
The MIAA management stated that airline operators had been advised of the six-hour runway closure even before April last year to give them ample time to adjust their flight schedules.
“However, the MIAA has received reports that some airlines use the runway closure as a convenient excuse to cover for operational difficulties that are solely attributable to them,” the MIAA stated in its advisory.
The airport authority refused to identify the airlines involved but it urged travelers affected by cancellations or re-timings to get in touch with their airlines for instructions and guidance.
“We are issuing this advisory to correct any misrepresentation that some airline operators may have previously employed or may still employ when they cancel or re-time their flights,” it added.
A passenger identified only as “Ms. Summer” identified a local airline, which she claimed “using the alibi and has been delaying our flight to and from Bangkok which is very inconvenient.”
MIAA management advised the passenger “You may file your complaint with the Civil Aeronautics Board representative in the Terminal.”
The MIAA also stated that the Air Passenger Bill of Rights mandate airline operators to provide arrangements or compensation to ensure the comfort and convenience of passengers affected by cancellations or retimings.