Airport execs apologize for water build-up at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Sunday apologized for the water build-up in several areas at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Airport officials said in the statement that the build-up between gates 133 and 134 on Saturday afternoon was due to a leak from broken water pipes at level 2.

The broken pipes caused water to seep through the flooring, MIAA explained.

"We apologize to the public for the inconvenience. The pipe has been repaired as of 5:00 p.m. [on Saturday]," MIAA said.

One of the airport's radars on Friday also encountered some damage after lightning struck it down during the onslaught of tropical cyclone "Mario."

The incident prevented several flights from landing and were diverted to the Subic Bay International Airport.

Some of NAIA's air conditioning systems, moreover, have been defective over the summer this year, prompting President Aquino himself to apologize for the issue.

NAIA has been named by some online sites as the world's "worst airport" in previous years, noting its crowded terminals, below-standard facilities for passengers, dirty bathrooms, unfriendly staff and probability of being victimized by scams.

Government, however, has started rehabilitating some key parts of the airport and recently opened a new terminal to accommodate more foreign airlines.