The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is planning to acquire additional generator sets to improve passenger comfort and address weak air conditioning at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals.
MIAA General Manager Eric Jose Ines said they are also considering to temporarily rent generator sets until they have a permanent generator.
At present, air conditioning units at Terminal 2 are experiencing issues with insufficient electrical power supply, affecting air travelers, mostly senior citizens and minors.
Ines said if all the air conditioning units are running simultaneously, there is a risk of overloading the power system and causing a power outage because the switch gears at the MIAA power station are outdated and require replacement.
One of the primary factors contributing to the elevated temperatures experienced in the departure area of NAIA Terminal 2 is the architectural design of the building, which is filled with glass, allowing heat from outside to enter the facilities, he said.
During the Holy Week, travelers at NAIA Terminal 2 had to endure hot temperatures as a result of inadequate air conditioning caused by frequent power fluctuations.
Ines said MIAA requires six-megawatt generators to guarantee uninterrupted power and prevent any issues or worries about power outages in case of failure in Meralco’s power supply.
Airport stakeholders said they are optimistic about the potential of San Miguel Corp. (SMC) to enhance the airport experience.
The government recently signed the concession agreement with SMC for the improvement of NAIA, which is widely recognized as one of the world’s worst airports.
The San Miguel Group has been awarded the P171 billion contract to rehabilitate, operate, and maintain the country’s premier gateway, which has been criticized for issues like infestations, missing bags, thefts, extortion, brownouts, and other technical glitches.
The airport management is requesting assistance from the private consortium to enhance Terminal 2 before operations are transferred in September.
