BI calls on gov’t agencies, airlines to help resolve long airport lines

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) on Wednesday called on government agencies involved in airport operations and airlines to help resolve the long queues in airports.

BI commissioner Norman Tansingco issued the call after the agency received reports of long lines at the immigration area following the post-new year glitch in the airports.

“All counters were manned, but the lines remained long. While passengers were processed expeditiously, more can be done to improve this,” he said in a statement.

Tansingco said they have reached the maximum capacity of counters at the airport.

He also said they already assigned two to four immigration officers in counters in some terminals.

“It’s already a space problem. We can add so many officers, but if the space is limited, then there will still be lines,” he said.

Tansingco asked for the cooperation of the airlines to regulate the influx of passengers through “proper scheduling.”

“This is a joint concern that we must all address in all aspects. We believe that by working together, this concern can be resolved,” he said.

The BI commissioner said that the agency also supports the decongestion of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and the opening of new airports.

“As we open our borders, we should innovate in anticipation of the rebound of international tourism,” he said.

At least 282 flights were canceled, diverted, or delayed on New Year's Day as the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) recorded a technical issue at the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center (ATMC). Some 56,000 passengers were affected at NAIA.

Meanwhile, airports have returned to their normal operations, according to Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista.

Bautista also said they are not ruling out sabotage as one of the possibilities behind what happened. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA Integrated News