5 international airlines relocating to NAIA Terminal 3

The counters of five international airlines will be relocated to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 amid repair and rehabilitation work at Terminal 1, a report on GMA's “24 Oras” said Thursday.

The five international airlines are KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Singapore Airlines and Delta Airlines, the report said.

According to NAIA Terminal 3 Manager Octavio Lim, the trial system which will run for six months aims to decongest Terminal 1.

“So, titingnan natin [kung ano ang mangyayari] paglipat ng ibang airlines na nakaka-decongest sa Terminal 1. At least malaking bagay 'yun,” Octavio said.

He also assured the public the transfer will not mean crowding in the terminal since they only get around 2 million passengers each year, way below the 13 million passenger capacity of Terminal 3.

Some areas of Terminal 3 including the baggage handling system are also undergoing repairs, the report said.

Because of this, the ticketing booth will be closed from July 17 to July 31. CCTV cameras are also being installed to boost security.

Meanwhile, the remote parking areas of the NAIA will be increased to 12 from 8 from to accommodate more Airbuses and other jet liners.

The NAIA Terminal 3 has been plagued with incidents in the past that have put the the terminal's structural integrity and security in question.

In 2008, part of the ceiling at the baggage claim area of Terminal 3 collapsed.

Last year, the lack of CCTV cameras in Terminal 3 was highlighted after Labangan, Zamboanga del Sur mayor Ukol Talumpa and two others were shot dead outside the terminal. — Andrei Medina/JDS, GMA News