Transport Secretary Jaime J. Bautista pointed out several areas for improvement to enhance air passenger experience during a surprise inspection of Terminal 2 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) early evening of August 1, 2022.
Accompanied by new Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Cesar Chiong, Sec. Bautista interacted with passengers during the airport’s peak hours and discussed improvements in the terminal’s facilities and processes with Chiong, PAL Assistant Vice President for Airport Operations Alfred Adriano and other on-duty PAL staff.
The Secretary was also joined by newly appointed DOTr Undersecretary for Aviation and Airports Atty. Roberto Cecilio O. Lim and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Chief of Staff Atty. Danjun Lucas.
The Transport Secretary inspected the check-in, security check and pre-departure areas as well as boarding gates while hundreds of outbound passengers lined up for health and security checks prior to their flights.
He talked to janitors at the terminal’s comfort rooms which he discovered, while properly maintained, lacked basic amenities.
The Secretary noted the need for adequate lighting and air-conditioning at the pre-departure area as well as reliable free internet connection.
A couple of elderly passengers waiting to board their flight for Los Angeles told the Secretary they were anxious of crowding at the terminal, worried of possible exposure to COVID-19 infection.
He likewise interacted with the Bureau of Quarantine staff manning the health check counters.
He also discussed with MIAA GM Chiong the limited available boarding gates that hampered the number of flights that could be operated at the terminal.
