Tag Archives: Ninoy Aquino International Airport

International, Travel

STATE DEPARTMENT ISSUES SECOND TRAVEL ADVISORY FOR U.S. CITIZENS TRAVELING TO THE PHILIPPINES

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imageWASHINGTON, D.C. (The Adobo Chronicles) –  Just last month, the State Department warned U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the Philippines, in particular to the Sulu Archipelago, certain regions and cities of the island of Mindanao, and the southern Sulu Sea area.

U.S. citizens should continue to defer non-essential travel due to the high threat of kidnapping of international travelers and violence linked to insurgency and terrorism there, according to the consular advisory.

Today, the State Department issued a second advisory asking U.S. citizens flying into or out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to bring raincoats or umbrellas. This, after the ceiling of NAIA’s Terminal 1 building leaked during a rainstorm in Metro Manila. Passengers and crew had to open their umbrellas and wear plastic bags over their shoes to avoid getting soaked by rainwater inside the terminal.

Apparently, the P1.3-billion rehabilitation project at the terminal may have produced a more earthquake-resilient, and aesthetically pleasant, airport but the contractor, DM Consunji Inc. (DMCI), apparently overlooked one thing—waterproofing.

Many travelers wondered if what they experienced at the airport was what was meant by the Philippine Department of Tourism’s meme, “It’s More Fun In The Philippines!”

 

Business, International, Tourism, Travel

MASSIVE FLIGHT DELAYS AT MANILA’S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT LEAVE THOUSANDS OF PASSENGERS STRANDED

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imageManila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Manila’s main international airport has repeatedly been named among the worst airports in the world. This weekend, that reputation became even worse as thousands upon thousands of passengers were stranded and hundreds of incoming and outgoing flights were delayed or cancelled at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The reason? Ground personnel of Cathay Pacific Airlines, still in their official uniforms, left their posts, counters and stations to put up a show in the middle of the busy and crowded main airport terminal.

It was meant as a ‘flash mob’ performance to welcome incoming passengers from Asia, Europe, America and other continents. The singing and dancing ground personnel delighted many onlookers who subsequently missed their flights and connections. Incoming flights were stranded at the runways because there was not a single ground staff person to assist the flight crew and passengers.

While the flash mob involved only Cathay Pacific employees, other airlines were affected  because their respective ground crew also left their stations to watch and videotape the impromptu dance performance.

Did we already mention that “It’s More Fun in the Philippines?”

International, Politics, Travel

PRESIDENT AQUINO WANTS MANILA’S INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT RENAMED

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imageManila, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles) – Manila’s International Airport is named after his late father, but Philippine President Noynoy Aquino wants the name changed. This, after the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) again got ranked as one of the world’s worst airports.

According to a list compiled by US website Cheat Sheet, NAIA is among the 10 worst airports in the world because of its poor facilities and long queues. Cheat Sheet also cited the airport’s “impolite” staff, despite Filipinos being known around the world for their warmth.

The article also mentioned the airport’s overcapacity, which has resulted to long lines that begin outside the terminal. Some  32 million passengers use NAIA each year despite the fact that it only has the capacity for 6 million passengers.

In 2013, NAIA was named worst airport in the world by travel website Sleeping In Airports, which asked travelers to rank airports based on comfort, conveniences, cleanliness, and customer service.

In talking to reporters, President Aquino said that he doesn’t want the Aquino name to be dragged for anything that is negative and unpopular.  Asked if he had any new name in mind for the airport, Aquino said, “For all I care, they can name it Gloria Macapagal Arroyo International Airport,” referring to his predecessor and political nemesis.

Aquino has consistently blamed Arroyo for all the ills and problems now faced by the Philippines.

Upon hearing about Aquino’s statement, Representative and former First Lady Imelda Romualdez Marcos proposed that NAIA be renamed Ferdinand E. Marcos International Airport.

Ninoy Aquino was assassinated in the tarmac of the airport during the regime of Ferdinand Marcos.