Finally, International Flights from NAIA-3

After a six year wait, the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA-3) finally hosted its first international flights last August 1. This is a major step for NAIA-3 in becoming the premier gateway of the Philippines. The terminal initially opened for domestic commercial operations last July 22. Three domestic carriers namely Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines Express, and Air Philippines have moved their operations to terminal.

It will take a year before NAIA-3 is 100% complete says Tirso Serrano, Head of Airport Development of the Manila International Airport Authority. There are a number of things that need to be worked out such as the automated baggage handling system and the aerobridge machines that had been mothballed for years. For now only the three carriers will be allowed to use the terminal, which is currently functioning at 60% of its 13 million passengers-a-year capacity.

Legal issues have hampered the opening of the NAIA-3 since 2002. The following year, the Supreme Court declared void the project’s contract due to questions regarding its legality. Despite other legal issues, the Philippine government has been able to open the facility for operation after an initial payment of Php 3 billion in compensation to builder Philippine International Air Terminals Corp. (PIATCO).

Source: Business World at www.bworldonline.com