Airlines’ terminal transfer deferred

MANILA, Philippines — The government has postponed the commencement of the rationalization plan for airport services at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) due to “unforeseen operational constraints.”

“The Aug. 31 terminal transfer of airlines will not proceed, as originally envisioned,” the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced yesterday.

The DOTr said discussions with airlines “gave rise to unforeseen operational constraints that require a longer time to resolve.” 

The DOTr said the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) formalized its request to defer the implementation of the so-called terminal rationalization program to the chairman of the House of Representatives committee on transportation in a letter dated June 5.

“Therefore, no transfer of airlines will occur until further notice,” the agency said.

The rationalization program was in compliance with a directive from former speaker Pantaleon Alvarez.

MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said Terminals 1 and 3 would be used for international flights while Terminals 2 and 4 (the old domestic terminal) will be devoted to domestic flights.

The DOTr also clarified that the transfer of certain Philippine Airlines (PAL) flights to NAIA Terminal 1 is necessary to prepare NAIA Terminal 2 for its rehabilitation, which is expected to start before yearend.

Effective today, PAL flights to Vancouver, Toronto and New York will use Terminal 1, the agency advised.