THE June opening of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 may not materialize due to unresolved technical issues.
According to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Alfonso Cusi, there are still some 42 outstanding items that need to be addressed
before the terminal commences operations.
He, however, assured that the opening of the 182,5000-square meter international terminal facility will not be later than this year. In an interview, Cusi said MIAA is still negotiating with NAIA Terminal 3’s private contractor Takenaka Corp. for the final blueprint of the terminal. “We have given them up to the end of this month to submit to us the final findings,” he said.
He added they are also working to identify all the defects and technical issues, particularly those pertaining to structural integrity and security of the terminal. At present, 90% of all infrastructure projects outside the terminal are complete, including access roads and water system. A number of airlines have already expressed interest to move to the new terminal.
“As long as we have the blueprint, we can start issuing the lease agreement,” Cusi explained.
International Air Transport Association (IATA) country manager Evelyn Del Rosario said most airlines want to transfer to the new terminal as soon as possible. IATA is also closely working with MIAA to keep the commercial opening of the terminal close to the original target.
NAIA Terminal 3 has been closed for two years since December 2002 and was not inspected by the government until its expropriation December 21, 2004. Cusi said the opening of the world-class terminal will relieve the congested NAIA Terminals 1 and 2. Terminal 3 was designed to accommodate up to 13 million travelers annually. Terminals 1 and 2 can only handle each year 4.5 million and 2.5 million passengers, respectively.
NAIA Terminal 3 also boasts of 20 contact and eight remote stands, 140 check-in counters on five islands, nine baggage carousels, 120 immigration counters (68
departure, 52 arrival) and 40 arrival customs counters.
