Arroyo inspects NAIA Terminal 3

MANILA, Philippines - President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo on Thursday inspected again the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3), which opened recently after being mothballed for years due to legal issues. President Arroyo, who arrived on the airport from Cebu province, said the airport will be “the gateway to our country from the rest of the world.” “It is our showcase for tourism and economic progress. Today’s commercial opening is a result of our resolve and determination to move this nation forward,” she said. Michael Defensor, head of the NAIA 3 task force, said the airport will start accommodating more or less 28 international flights per day via Cebu Pacific by middle of next month. He said the destinations include China, Macau, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore. At present, only domestic flights by Philippine Airlines (PAL) Express, Air Philippines and Cebu Pacific are being accommodated by the terminal. Defensor added that NAIA 3 is expected to be fully operational by February next year. "Like the planes that will use it, this airport will likewise have a safe flight ahead," he said. President Arroyo last June ordered the immediate opening of NAIA 3, which has a total floor area of 240,000 square meters that can accommodate 13 million passengers annually. The President first inspected the NAIA 3 upon her arrival from a 10-day visit to the United States last June 30. - GMANews.TV