PAL braces for disruptions from LA Airport terminal gate transfer

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines is protesting the looming transfer of its flights from the main terminal of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to a new but farther gate, which could inconvenience elderly and persons with disabilities passengers.

In an advisory, PAL said that effective June 1, 2021, it will be “forced” to move its flights departing and arriving at Los Angeles to the new Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC) of the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at the LAX.

“PAL has appealed urgently to the airport authority to reconsider the decision to move PAL flights from the TBIT to the MSC; PAL also is seeking assistance from city officials,” the carrier said.

“We have raised the important consideration that a large number of our Filipino-American and visiting Filipino travelers are senior citizens or persons with disability who would be better served if the boarding gates are located closer to the check-in and security areas,” it said.

PAL emphasized that it “will continue to pursue all available remedies in the hope that our flights will be retained at the original gates of the main TBIT concourse for the well-being and convenience of our valued passengers.”

Moreover, the MSC gates are in a separate concourse that is connected to the main TBIT area by an underground tunnel.

While the airline is still protesting the move, it is appealing for patience and understanding from its passengers, who are being alerted on the following changes:

Additional walk time to and from aircraft gates:  allot at least 20 minutes additional time to walk to departure gates at the MSC. From the TBIT main concourse, after clearing security, passengers will need to access the tunnel walkway via escalators, elevators and moving walkways.

• Alternative transportation: There will be terminal transfer vehicles (similar to golf carts) available for passengers who are unable to walk the full distance; accessible via elevators and escalators from the TBIT main concourse. Please allot extra time in case of limited availability of these transfer vehicles. Passengers using wheelchairs will also need to take the elevators.
• Limited shops and services: Please note there are limited shops and food service facilities at the MSC; please plan on completing your shopping and dining needs at the TBIT main concourse pre-departure area, before proceeding to the MSC for boarding.
• No Change in check-in or arrivals location: All departing PAL passengers will check in at the TBIT, and all arriving PAL passengers will claim baggage and clear immigrations and customs at the TBIT, in the same areas in use today.

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience that the Airport’s decision may cause you,” PAL said.

“We will update you if there are any new developments as our dialogue with the authorities continues,” the airline added. —Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News