Airline execs slam new NAIA security scheme

Executives of international airlines at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) expressed strong opposition to additional security procedures at the airport, saying it delayed five international flights yesterday morning.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) was conducting a dry-run of its "100 percent baggage sanitation" policy, which prohibits passengers from gaining access to their check-in baggage upon entering the terminal and the initial metal X-ray section.

Flights of Air Macau, Cathay Pacific, KLM, China Southern and Cebu Pacific were delayed by up to 30 minutes when their passengers were caught in long queues that formed outside the departure area.

Passengers had to stay in line up to an hour just to enter the airport as the new security check became a major chokepoint.

Passengers who were at the airport as early as 2 a.m. were subjected to extremely tight security upon entering the terminal.

Apart from the passport and ticket verification, each of the passengers’ luggage was individually tagged so porters inside the terminal could bring them to the correct airline counter.

Confusion ensued after most passengers went through the initial security screening and were unaware of the new security procedures. They were surprised to find out that their luggage had been carted off by a porter to the baggage holding area.

The "hands free" policy is a security enhancement program formulated by the MIAA in pursuance of provisions of the International Civil Aviation Organization, the global governing body that regulates civil aviation.

MIAA Emergency and Security Service chief Angel Atutubo pointed out that the implementation of the new security policy was part of the ICAO’s suggested and recommended practices (SARP), which he said "must be followed to the letter."

Officials of the Airline Operators Council opposed the new policy, saying it was bringing extreme inconvenience to passengers and could result in costly flight delays when implemented permanently.

"We definitely welcome security enhancements at the airport, but not when it will affect our passengers and operations," AOC vice chairman Santiago Medrana III said.

Medrana said airport management has grossly misconstrued the SARP, "which are just suggestions."

Medrana quoted the SARP as stating, "From Jan. 1, 2006, each Contracting State shall establish measures to ensure that originating hold baggage (check-in baggage) intended to be carried in an aircraft engaged in international civil aviation operations is screened prior to being loaded into the aircraft."

Medrana noted that all passengers and bags, both hand-carried and for check-in are already screened before entering the airport terminal.

AOC chairman Leoncio Nakpil Jr. said they will seek the assistance of the ICAO and the International Aviation Transport Association (IATA) to give them an interpretation of the ICAO recommendation and enlighten MIAA.

Nakpil said they will abide with the interpretation of IATA and hopes that MIAA management will do the same.