NAIA Terminal 3

[Edmundtanso]

good job renell! how did you do that?

[rmb]

Palace is still for the opening of NAIA terminal 3
09/30 5:22:22 PM from Philstar.com

Malacañang Thursday said that President Gloria Arroyo has not changed her stand and is still for the opening of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.

Presidential Spokesman and concurrent Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye made the statement in his regular press briefing in Malacañang this afternoon.

"This is the subject of continuing studies but the objective of the President is to have an early opening of PIATCO," Bunye said, referring to the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (PIATCO), the builder and contractor of the airport.

Bunye admitted that the Terminal 3 has been there for years and it is now time to open the state-of-the-art terminal to the public.

"I believe everybody will benefit from an early opening of Terminal 3," he added.

It will be recalled that the scheduled opening of the newly constructed NAIA Terminal 3 last year was stalled after the Supreme Court nullified the PIATCO contract.

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Yah, yah, yah, yah.............we've been hearing this all the time.........

Just open that damn terminal as soon possible!!!!

[renell]

@edmund, MS paint

that's good news, but this has been GMA's old stance. still no date though

[Kiel]

I just watched a news clip about it @ TV Patrol. Senator Alfredo Lim said: Naiiyak nalang ako sa hinayang... This is good news; hope the terminal FINALLY gets opened =)

[federal]

yeah!! i saw it too.. damn, it's nice Hope it will be a transit hub....even if it's small. Will well-wishers be allowed inside like at LAX before the security check?

[Crazy4Airplanes]

WOOOOOOWWWW!!!!!! I just saw it on world tonight sa ANC. Grabe. i wish i could tour the facility with them. Grabe. it is SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO beautiful. Tama yung sinabi ni Fred Lim. pati ako naiiyak na din in anticipation. my gosh guys. i had no idea that the departure/arrival area is that nice. My gosh. its actually better than LAX. NAIA 3 has a bright and sunny interior because of the lights. whereas ang LAX and dilim!!! last lime i went there, the departure area smelled like piss. yuck!!!!!

Lord, sana po buksan na ang NAIA 3 para naman po sa aming mga atat na atat na at sobrang naghihintay sa kanyang pagbubukas. sana by december!!!! in time for the holidays. kahit yung airport facility lang muna. wag na muna yung mga duty free shops.

[Edmundtanso]

thanks renell!

wow, hope NAIA 3 would finally open, hope all the disputes would get settled

[kiretoce]

Originally Posted by Crazy4Airplanes

Lord, sana po buksan na ang NAIA 3 para naman po sa aming mga atat na atat na at sobrang naghihintay sa kanyang pagbubukas. sana by december!!!! in time for the holidays. kahit yung airport facility lang muna. wag na muna yung mga duty free shops.

Amen! I guess we should all pray to whatever god (or gods) that hears us! Now I'm really all worked-up about this, hope it opens just in time for the holiday rush of balikbayans.

[ryanr]

awww...I didnt watch World Tonight on TFC. I missed it.

but it looks like there is progress, i have a feeling it will open very soon.

[kiretoce]

A little bit of nostalgia here....okay, I'll admit it....T1 was beautiful in its hey-days.







Thanks to www.philskies.net for the photos!

[pau_p1]

I heard in the news in GMA7 that they plan to have the terminal 3 opened by next year.... oh I hope it opens earliear like this November or early December so I can walk in there during the holidays...

GMA7 only had a few shots of the interior with the conveyor belt and the check-in area.. and its bright inside.. probably because of the white interior... boy... I should have watched World Tonight....

[ryanr]

yeah, no doubt about it that NAIA 1 was one of the best airports in the region during its time. But now, it is old and needs to be replaced.

ough...i really wish i watched it too. Somebody should have given me a heads up

[absent-minded]

it wasn't on last night's TV Patrol here (which was for the one they air wednesday in manila), so I'm hoping it's gonna be on tonight. I wanna see the inside again. been drolling over those pictures in that Bluprint mag. haha...!

NAIA-1 does look nice in those shots. so much more grand than either NAIA-2 or 3 in their respective times. they could do a massive refurbishement of the interiors and exteriors and recycle it as a new domestic terminal once NAIA-3 opens. that'd be nice.

[absent-minded]

NAIA 3 declared to be in top shape
By RECTO MERCENE | TODAY Senior Reporter

The officials of the Airline Operators Council on Thursday unanimously affirmed that the NAIA Terminal 3 is in “tip-top shape” following an inspection upon the invitation of the Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (PIATCO), to disprove claims that the terminal is rotting away.

More than 50 airline officials visited the sprawling air terminal which had lain idle since the Supreme Court’s November 2002 decision declared the contract between PIATCO and the government null and void.

Senators Juan Ponce Enrile, Edgardo Angara and Alfredo Lim also visited Terminal 3 and were equally impressed with what they saw.

All three asked why the airport terminal is not being put to good use.

But Malacañang replied that President Arroyo has not changed her stand and is still for the opening of the PIATCO-built terminal.

“This is the subject of continuing studies but the objective of the president is to have an early opening of PIATCO,” said Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye. He admitted that Terminal 3 has been idle for years and it is now time to open the modern terminal.

“I believe everybody will benefit from an early opening of Terminal 3,” he said.

About three months ago, Malacañang said government lawyers and the lawyers of PIATCO and Fraport, the German partner in the consortium, will meet middle of 2005 to discuss a possible settlement of the controversial project.

The government, through former airport manager Edgardo Manda, said that the Manila International Airport Authority has enough funds to buy off PIATCO and that the only stumbling block is the final amount emerging from arbitration.

News reports allegedly released by the Terminal 3 detractors said that the multimillion peso equipment, electronic computers and other facilities are deteriorating and can no longer be operated.

To disprove the allegations, Takenaka Corp., a Japanese partner in the PIATCO consortium invited embassy officials from Australia, New Zealand, America and Japan to inspect the facilities last Monday.

All of the officials said they were all impressed by the air terminal’s condition. They were all amazed, they said Thursday, at how PIATCO had maintained the terminal despite its not being used for two years.

“I’m amazed how they were able to maintain it in top form,” Cathay Pacific district manager Ed Monreal said. “The entire place is spick and span. You won’t see a trace of dust.”

Another official, Adin Gonzales of Northwest Airlines, added that all the fixtures were in order. The lights, the baggage build-up area, conveyors, carrousels, escalators and moving walkways were all working.

“They should open this airport, regardless of who operates it,” Gonzales added.

Government and private individuals have voiced their consent to open the terminal while litigation is going on.

Built for $560 million, the terminal is equipped with state-of-the-art passenger and baggage-handling equipment, as well as the latest in bomb-detecting machines.

It covers an area of 1,100 sq m—four times bigger that the NAIA Terminal 1. It has 34 air bridges, 140 check-in counters and 150 concession spaces. It is also equipped with $2 million CTX 9000 x-ray machines which can detect firearms and molecular particles of explosives.

To date, the government has lost approximately P1.2 billion in revenues due to the cancellation of PIATCO’s contract.

PIATCO was contracted to pay the government P510 million annually for the first five years of operation, plus P396 million or 36 percent of all terminal fees collected. Also included is the five percent gross revenues that PIATCO will have to share with the government.
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I seriously cannot wait to see this terminal opened up. how does Bunye consider any future opening of the terminal "early"? in two months it'll be two years since it was supposed to be opened. but it's good to know it's been well taken care of... or is that just to convince GMA to let PIATCO operate and maintain it?

anyway, does T3 really have 34 airbridges/gates? renell's drawing only has 21, and I thought that was about how many it had all along.

[federal]

So how many airbridges/gates does

NAIA1 have?
NAIA2?
and the infamous NAIA3?

Thanks.

[federal]

Originally Posted by absent-minded

it wasn't on last night's TV Patrol here (which was for the one they air wednesday in manila), so I'm hoping it's gonna be on tonight. I wanna see the inside again. been drolling over those pictures in that Bluprint mag. haha...!

NAIA-1 does look nice in those shots. so much more grand than either NAIA-2 or 3 in their respective times. they could do a massive refurbishement of the interiors and exteriors and recycle it as a new domestic terminal once NAIA-3 opens. that'd be nice.

And what about NAIA2 which has so much capacity for domestic flights...Sayang naman kung ma-uunderutilize yun. Maybe an international budget airline terminal like they want to do in Singapore could be an option for old rotting NAIA1.

NAIA1 -- budget airline international terminal
NAIA2 -- domestic terminal
NAIA3 -- international terminal

But what I hope them to do is close down NAIA1... it's so disgusting and such an eyesore upon arrival. and all international airlines move to NAIA3... which reminds me, parang walang mga LED signs sa labas ng terminal showing flights and airlines. Yung Terminal 2 meron...

[pau_p1]

hmmm.... I don't think they can make Terminal 2 a domestic terminal.. since it is privately owned (i think) by Lucio Tan or by PAL.... the old NAIA would be a good domestic terminal.. way better than the current Manila Domestic Airport.... at least domestic flights will go on the plane by the gates and not walking to the plane...

[federal]

pau_p1 : Terminal 2 is the destined and planned all-domestic terminal replacing the old Manila Domestic Airport. PAL used T2 for international TEMPORARILY due to exhausted capacity of T1 for international. T2 is not privately owned. It is owned by the Philippine Government through MIAA. The old domestic airport should be closed down. I wonder why they did not do that ASAP so domestic airline could move in T2.

Anyway. here's a nice review I found for NAIA Terminal 1.

A Capital Airport?
Jun 10 '04

Author's Product Rating



Pros
Clear direction signs

Cons
Poor facilities, security hassles, long check in times

The Bottom Line
I hate answering this as you cant recommend an airport as there are no alternatives. I would say no, but if you fly to Manila you have to use it.


Full Review
I was told that one of the first ways to know you are nearing Manila Airport or to give it its proper name Ninoy Aquino International Airport ( Code MNL) was to look at the sea and watch for the change of colour from a brilliant blue to a dark brown. Unfortunately, that indeed was one indicator I did notice as the coast became nearer.

Once the plane got lower my immediate impression was that the airport was actually very close to built up areas but in some ways this proved to be an illusion as the majority of places people will want to go to are still over 10k away.

On landing, I was struck by how quiet the airport was, there were relatively few planes docked at the piers and only one other plane taxi-ing to the runway, this was about 4pm on a Friday afternoon. Leaving the plane was quick and I was glad to see relatively clear signs telling me which way to go ( always a good bonus in an airport ). The route from the plane to immigration was about 600m or so with no working travelators which could prove to be a difficult if you have trouble walking. On the way there, you pass what seems to be a new trend in airports – the arrival duty free shop. This one stocked only the major brands of cigarettes, liquors and sweets so I wasn’t really interested. The immigration booths were well manned and I was through in 5 minutes, next stage was baggage reclaim which you can see while standing in line for immigration.

This is where the building starts to show its age. The passenger area up until then is relatively clean and modern – albeit still not really looked after, there still were signs up about SARS for example that should have been taken down a year ago. Once in the baggage reclaim area it becomes more spartan and utilitarian. The toilets although clean are in need of refurbishment and specifically locks on the doors of the cubicles! After getting your bag it’s a short ( 40m ) journey to the green or red channels for customs and thereafter into the arrivals hall.

The arrivals hall itself is actually quite small with a couple of ATMs to your left, a couple of Tourist Information and hotel places to your right. There were no shops that I could see to buy some soft drinks or a little snack to keep you going until your hotel. The first trick you have to do is look as though you know where you are going – otherwise you will be approached by the hotel / tourist information touts. Now by touts I mean they are offering overpriced services you can get on your own at a much cheaper price. It is nothing to do with whether they are working for the “Official Tourist Agency” or not. In many countries that organisation is just designed to suck as much money out of people as possible. In the space of 30 yards I was approached by no less than 4 different people asking the same stupid questions
“Would I like a hotel/taxi?”
“No”

Why is it that in tourist places, that these touts don’t use their brain or at least their eyes to think “oh, they just said no to someone else, I will leave them alone”? No, it’s always, “they just said no, if I ask them again, they might say yes!”

Anyway, if you stay on the ground floor, your transport options unless you are being picked up are very few. There is no direct bus service or railway station to the airport. If you fancy a 300m walk down the exit ramp, you can get a passing bus, or a jeepney into town. ( A jeepney is basically an extended minibus colourfully painted with no windows or rear doors. Its one of the main forms of transportation in the Philippines ) I would not recommend this for the first timer though. The main option is to get the “Official Airport Taxi” For this, the fares are set in advance and are displayed on a board beside the rank 30m outside the exit doors. The fare is paid in advance and you are given a receipt and no further money should be paid. For the area I was going to ( Ermita ) the fare was 380 Pesos which is almost 4 times what it costs to get back to the airport. ( The current exchange rate is US$1 - 55 Pesos )

Another alternative is ( after you have checked the departure board for the airport fares ) to make your way up to the 1st floor ( departure level ) and exit the building that way. After this, flag down a taxi dropping off passengers and ask him to put the meter on and off you go. Officially, though, you and they are not supposed to do this. If you do have to negotiate a fare, you have the board fare to base the fairness of what you are offered. Normally, the more confident you are – even if you are bluffing – the better the fare. If you get to about 40% of the board fare, that is an OK deal, not great but OK. Fortunately, I was being met by someone so didn’t have to put up with that particular hassle.

Leaving the airport you are then put into the lap of the gods that is known as Manila road traffic – but that’s another review.

My return flight was at 11.15 on a Thursday evening and I had been warned about leaving enough time to get through the airport. Coming back from Ermita, I left my hotel at just before 8 in the evening and flagged down the first taxi I saw but he didn’t want to take me to the airport, nor did the second or the third. The fourth initially tried to get a fixed fare of 200P then dropped it to 150P before finally relenting and turning on the meter with wails of “its too far, petrol is expensive, wouldn’t get a return fare and so on”. He even tried to say that the meter fare would be more expensive than the “special fare” he was offering. After a quick 20 minute journey, the fare turned out to be 97 Pesos, a nice little bonus he tried to get. And just as I got out the taxi, a Korean gentleman immediately hired him back into the city.

Now the procedure to enter the airport and fly out of the country is nightmare from start to finish. Even before getting dropped off, the taxi had to stop at a checkpoint and the boot opened and checked. To get into the airport building itself, you must have a passport and ticket for a flight leaving that day. If you don’t have that, you don’t get in. Kiss your friends and family away at the front door. 1st check. Immediately on entering the building you have your bags x-rayed and you walk through a metal detector and are frisk searched. 2nd check. You then move to a counter in between you and the check in queues, all your bags are opened and searched and tickets and passport checked, 3rd check. You then join the check in queue and halfway round that, your tickets and passport checked again, 4th check. Then further round the queue, the main bags are weighed and tickets and passport checked again 5th check. Then finally you check in, where guess what, your tickets and passports are checked again. 6th check.

After checking in, I had a look round the ground side of the departure building and there is absolutely nothing to do. There are no shops, no snack areas, nothing except a currency exchange ( which you may need ! ) The only thing ground side are the check in desks. Because of this I went into the departure area, and queued up to pay what to some people may come as a surprise - the departure tax which must be paid in cash, no cheques or credit cards allowed. Remember to keep that 550 Pesos otherwise its back to the ATM for you! (They do take US$ as well though), departing Immigration is just behind and after another 25 minutes queuing up to clear, I was finally into the departure lounge.

At this point it was around 10.20pm on a Wednesday night and I assumed that quite a few of the Duty Free shops would still be open so I could buy those last minute gifts and of course use the last chance to get rid of the last of the Pesos. Wrong. Infact, only one of the smaller shops was still open with 2 other gift shops. There was also only one small bar with vastly overpriced snack foods and one soft drinks bar still open. For example, a standard can of coke outside the airport may cost 12-15 Pesos, but inside I was charged 50 Pesos.

About 20 minutes later the flight was called and I went to the pier entrance. There I had my hand luggage x-rayed again, a footwear x-ray and a body frisk. 7th check. They actually had a sign said Final Security Check but they lied, it wasn’t. At the departure gate lounge there was one more manual inspection of the hand luggage, tickets, passport and another body frisk. 8th check.

This is one airport that you definitely do need to allow 3 hours to get through. I reckon that adding it all up, I had 10 – 15 spare minutes on being in the airport 2 hrs 50 minutes. And this was on a weekday evening, so heaven only knows what it is like on a busy Friday evening or Saturday afternoon.

Now, one other very important factor to take into account is what airline you fly with. Any other airline apart from Philippines Airlines will use Terminal 1 as the national airline has its own entirely separate Terminal 2 for all international and domestic flights. The two terminals are about a 15 minute taxi ride away from each other, so if you are transferring airlines for a domestic onward/return flight, you must allow plenty of time to change terminals.

Do I recommend it is always a question I hate answering as you cant really recommend an airport as usually there are no alternatives if you want to go to that city or country. If I had the choice I would say no, but if you want to fly to Manila you have to use it whether it was recommended or not.


Recommended
No

Best Suited For: Families
Best Time to Travel Here: Mar - May

[renell]

T2 isn't owned by PAL. it's just occupied by them. actually they are being forced (well persuaded) by the gov't to move their international operations to T3. T2 is the original domestic terminal if im not mistaken.

34 airbridge/gates.. hmm... i thought i was around the number..

[federal]

Originally Posted by renell

T2 isn't owned by PAL. it's just occupied by them. actually they are being forced (well persuaded) by the gov't to move their international operations to T3. T2 is the original domestic terminal if im not mistaken.

34 airbridge/gates.. hmm... i thought i was around the number..

NAIA3 has 34 gates... wow That's quite big. Baka naman other gates have 2 airbridges... you know what i mean renell?