Airlines oppose NAIA 3 soft opening

Airlines operating at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) expressed opposition to the apparent plan of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to stage a "soft opening" of Terminal 3 on June 21, which would result in a "split" operation of both the old and new terminals.

Felix Cruz, chairman of the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) — an organization of the country managers of all local and foreign international airlines operating in the country — said the recent pronouncement of MIAA general manager Alfonso Cusi that they will be opening NAIA 3 even if not all airlines located at Terminal 1 are able to transfer their office and counter spaces to the new one by the target date is a cause for concern.

"We, the Board of Airline Representatives, wish to reiterate our position that the airlines should transfer to Terminal 3 together to maximize synergy of traffic flow and increase operating efficiency," Cruz told Cusi in a letter dated March 2.

"We will not support a phased-in move to the new terminal. The position of BAR is for all the airlines to move in and commence operations at T3 at the same time, as has been the case with all the other airports in Asia which opened over the past seven years, i.e. Chek Lap Kok in Hong Kong, Incheon International Airport in Korea, Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia, and Chubu Centrair International Airport at Nagoya, Japan," Cruz said.

He added: "If indeed it is possible to do so, we would like to be apprised on how the MIAA envisions managing a split operation from two terminals, specifically in terms of the manpower complement for the following: Immigration, Customs and Philippine National Police/security personnel.

Furthermore, a split operation would have huge ramifications on ground handling manpower and equipment requirements for PAGS, MIASCOR, and other ground handling agents serving their customer airlines."

The BAR has been urging the MIAA to release the details and guidelines surrounding their supposed transfer to NAIA 3 by the June 21 target date set by government.

It will be recalled that another major hitch in the transfer was MIAA’s inability to enter into lease contracts with airline concessionaires for the office and counter spaces they will be occupying when they transfer to NAIA 3.

Cusi, in a recent interview, said that instead of lease contracts, they will have to enter into a separate memorandum of understanding with each airline as per advice of the Office of the Solicitor General.

It will be recalled that the government has been ordered by the Supreme Court to refrain from exercising ownership rights over NAIA 3 which it took over from the builder, Piatco consortium, last December.

This issue regarding the absence of lease contracts has also been bewailed by BAR.

"We trust that you appreciate our position that the transfer to NAIA 3 can only be done after the execution of a contract of lease with the appropriate indemnity clause protecting the airlines against potential liability from Piatco or other interested parties. Please understand that such statement gives the public an erroneous perception that the airlines are responsible for delaying the construction of its offices and lounges," Cruz stressed.

He added: "We are furthermore concerned that your press statement gave the impression to the public that the airlines were not willing to assist the MIAA in meeting its June 21 deadline. Although this may have been unfortunately conveyed from other sources, let me assure you that BAR members would certainly prefer to open the terminal as soon as possible. The reality, however, is that there are still several issues that need to be addressed prior to the opening of T3."