Passengers caught off guard by PAL terminal reassignment, delays, cancellation

Several passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were caught off guard after they learned that Philippine Airlines' international flights had been reassigned to Terminal 1, Joseph Morong reported Friday on “24 Oras.”

“Nagpaikot-ikot pa kami tapos nakadalawang toll gate. Tapos ‘yung kasabay namin nagrereklamo din kasi 9 p.m. [ang flight] daw na instead na 1 p.m.,” Angelica Misario, a passenger, said.

(We transferred to at least two toll gates. Another traveler was complaining how his flight was moved from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.)

Last week, PAL announced their international flights would start to operate at the new NAIA Terminal 1 beginning June 16 while domestic flights would remain in Terminal 2.

This was part of the Manila International Airport Authority's (MIAA's) terminal reassignment initiative to ease passenger congestion at all terminals, the airline said.

Meanwhile, adding to the confusion was the cancellation of a Friday PAL flight to Hong Kong. The cancellation was not caused by the reassignment but due to the airplane bound for Hong Kong needing maintenance.

Other flight delays and cancellations were due to limited aircraft, which now stands at 69 from the previous 98.

“We had to return planes nung nagkaroon kami ng lockdowns, and zero flight operations, wala kaming kita. We are acquiring more planes,” said PAL Spokesperson Cielo Villaluna.

(We had to return the planes because of the lockdowns, and zero flight operations. We are acquiring more planes.)

Meanwhile, there were more than 30 immigration counters and five security lanes opened at the NAIA Terminal 1. The MIAA said the terminal would be able to cater to the additional 6,000 to 7,000 passengers from PAL’s international flights, which was on top of the 18,000 travelers it serviced daily.

“Basta tuloy-tuloy na bukas, fully-manned and the equipment is working, we don’t expect any long lines sa ating final security at immigration process,” said MIAA officer-in-charge Bryan Co.

(As long as the counters are open, fully manned and the equipment is working, we don’t expect any long lines in our final security at the immigration process.)

“It’s still within the capacity of Terminal 1 kasi inilipat naman natin sila during the lean hours of Terminal 1,” he added.

Co said no other flights would be transferred to the terminal, according to the report. — Sundy Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News