MANILA -- The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) belied on Monday posts on social media that say the airline terminal realignment or transfer will take effect on August 31.
While August 31 was the target date and deadline given by Congress to MIAA to come up with a plan to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), the management said its discussions with airline operators remain "exploratory in nature".
Thus, both parties need more time to resolve the decongestion problem. MIAA noted that some airlines have expressed their willingness to transfer, while some are discussing options with the Authority.
Earlier, MIAA Media Affairs Division head Jess Martinez told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) that the management would stick to the Congress' deadline, unless a higher authority tells MIAA to delay or stop it.
However, he also clarified that MIAA is looking at all possible options.
“We are trying to have the best option, but definitely we will have to implement an action this year,” he told PNA in a previous interview.
Supposedly, under the plan, NAIA Terminal 2 will be used solely for domestic flights. NAIA terminal 4, which currently serves domestic flights, will remain as it is.
MIAA sent a letter to the Congress last month, requesting to defer the implementation of the terminal rationalization program.
Among the reasons that MIAA cited in the letter was that using Terminal 2 exclusively for domestic flights will increase passenger traffic from an average of 26,000 to 60,000 per day.
"This traffic, in addition to all pending construction in terminal 2, the construction of additional bus gates, will render it difficult to conveniently accommodate such volume of passengers," added MIAA.
With this request, no airline terminal transfers will occur until further notice, MIAA emphasized.
The management also clarified that the recent transfer of some Philippine Airlines flights from terminal 2 to terminal 1 is just part of the preparation for the rehabilitation process in terminal 2.
Martinez said NAIA terminal 2 rehabilitation will happen soon, and that MIAA will provide announcements to the public regarding this.
Aside from improving the whole terminal, the rehabilitation also serves as preparation for the airline terminal realignment plan, he said. (PNA)
