DOTC urges foreign airlines to use NAIA 3

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is in talks with foreign airlines, asking them to consider switching to Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA 3) once it is completed in July.

DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya urged foreign airlines to relocate from NAIA 1 to NAIA 3, pointing to expectations that the rehabilitation of NAIA 3 may be completed ahead of its scheduled August relaunch.

“We might be ready to receive them some time April or May but they are asking for one year to fix their lounges. We are offering the use of government lounges so they could transfer,” Abaya said in a speech on Thursday evening, February 27 during the induction of officers of the Economic Journalists Association of the Philippines.

The government is reportedly talking to Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Delta Airlines, Emirates, as well as other airlines.

Part of NAIA 3’s rehabilitation includes changes to baggage handling, flight information displays, computer terminals, gate coordination, and fire protection systems.

Abaya also noted that the NAIA 1 rehabilitation is slated to be finished in January 2015, ahead of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit. The rehabilitation will include structural retrofitting, architectural enahncements, and improvements to its electrical, mechanical, plumbing, and fire protection facilities. (READ: NAIA-1 rated world’s worst airport again)

The rehabilitation of both terminals is expected to decongest NAIA 1, which is handling 7 to 8 million passengers, way above its designed capacity of 4 to 4.5 million passengers. – Rappler.com