NAIA 3 security equipment ready by December

All necessary security equipment needed to ensure the safety of aircraft, passengers, visitors and workers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Passenger Terminal 3 will be ready for full operations when the new world-class terminal opens on Dec. 15.

This was the assurance given yesterday by a representative of a German firm specializing in airport security in answer to apprehensions aired by a spokesman of the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) that the security equipment might not be fully operational during the scheduled opening.

Andrew Bishop, airport security consultant from the world-renowned German security firm, Civas, said that all security equipment required by the NAIA Terminal 3 have practically all been put in place.

He said that by Dec. 15, when the new terminal is launched on its "soft opening," all security requirements would already be fully installed and operational.

Bishop said that the security equipment of NAIA 3 is of the latest, state-of-the-art vintage, designed specially to cope with the threat of both internal and international terrorism.

According to Bishop, luggage brought in by passengers would be subjected to the most modern screening process. "All baggage will be processed through the most advanced security technique available worldwide. Every piece of luggage will be automatically screened or tested by equipment similar to those used in London and Hong Kong airports, which are of latest designs."

Bishop added that because of its advanced techniques air passengers would no longer suffer the inconveniences that they usually encounter while checking in their baggage, including their hand-carried luggage. The new airport terminal will have 140 check-in counters for outbound passengers alone, and 40 customs counters for arriving passengers.

Moises Tolentino Jr., vice president for public relations of NAIA 3 concessionaire Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (PIATCO), commented that precisely because of its advanced security installations, NAIA 3 should be opened for operations as soon as possible to provide safety to planes, passengers and airport workers.

He pleaded to BAR members to cooperate with the NAIA 3 terminal management and the administration of President Arroyo in facilitating the opening of the new terminal since it would also enhance economic growth by promoting tourism and attracting more business investments into the country.

As for the access roads linking NAIA Terminal 3 to Terminals 1 and 2, Tolentino pointed out that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) under Secretary Simeon Datumanong is already working day and night to complete the roads before the Dec. 15 opening.