No malfunction of NAIA baggage handling system, says NNIC

The New Ninoy Aquino International Airport Infra Corp. (NNIC) addressed the "inaccurate or incomplete" information regarding the reported delayed baggage delivery for an airline company that occurred last Friday, August 14, 2026.

"In view of inaccurate or incomplete accounts circulating online regarding the delayed baggage delivery for Cebu Pacific Flight 5J1722 from Daraga on August 14, 2026, NNIC is providing passengers with the verified findings of its review of the incident," the firm said in a statement.

"Based on operational records, the aircraft arrived at its parking bay at 9:15 p.m., but the first bag reached the reclaim belt only at 10:16 p.m., or 61 minutes later. The last bag was delivered at 10:24 p.m.," it added.

The airport operator underscored NAIA's operating standard, "the first bag should be available within 15 minutes after an aircraft reaches its parking bay, while the last bag for an A321 should be delivered within 35 minutes."

"There was no malfunction of NAIA’s Baggage Handling System. The delay occurred before the bags entered the system," it said.

The NNIC also pointed out that the cause of the delay were the equipment and operational issues encountered by Cebu Pacific's ground handler due to the inclement weather on the ramp that affected the transfer of bags from the aircraft.

"Once the bags reached the baggage system, they were delivered to the reclaim belt within about eight minutes," the NNIC said.

"This explains why several flights appeared on Belt 7 at the same time. It is normal for flights to use the same carousel in sequence, but because baggage from earlier flights arrived late, their delivery overlapped with succeeding flights, causing the crowding and longer wait experienced by passengers," It added.

Meanwhile, the NNIC said it has directed Cebu Pacific and its ground handler to "address the issues identified and ensure sufficient resources and serviceable equipment are available to support timely baggage delivery."

"As airport operator, NNIC will continue to monitor baggage delivery performance, require airlines and their ground handlers to meet prescribed service standards, and take appropriate action when these standards are not met." — BAP, GMA News