Off the list?

Photos of the rehabilitated NAIA Terminal 1 were uploaded online, to show the extent of work that has been done on what many have labeled as "one of the worst airports in the world," and at one time even being the "worst in Asia." Terminal 1 is no stranger to harsh criticism from both local and foreign travelers. The congestion, chaos in checking-in, the horrible heat, the disgusting bathrooms, you name it. It seems there is no shortage of bad things to say about the airport. Hopefully, the renovation recently undertaken will change that.

Indeed, photos of a nice reception area, baggage claim conveyors, arrival and departure wings, including newly renovated bathrooms with electronic amenities. A new flight information board has been installed, and the all-important air conditioning system is claimed to be working well, just in time for an expected hot summer. According to the DOTC, work on the passenger areas should be done by the end of March, while the non-passenger areas by May this year.

Still, the test of the pudding is in the eating, as they say. So we will have to wait for the comments of passengers themselves if the newly renovated airport has indeed improved. I am certain that officials also eagerly await the dreaded list of the world's worst airports, which the NAIA Terminal 1 has been consistently on. It would be a welcome development should the terminal not make the list.

Those who have traveled to Hong Kong and Singapore know just how beautiful and efficient their airports are. One need not even ask anyone for assistance, as everything is labeled properly and clearly. But if there is something still lacking on Terminal 1, that would be space. The renovation was carried out on the old terminal, with the same area. With tourism picking up, especially with the current prices of oil, the terminal fills up very quickly with travelers. One thing you notice about the Hong Kong and Singapore terminals is the huge amount of space. Congestion is never really a problem.

I think a new and bigger terminal should still be considered in the near future. We currently have three major terminals in Metro Manila with some smaller ones, but even those are filling up fast. They may exceed their acceptable capacities soon. And while Clark is an alternative, the idea of having to travel another hour or so to get to the city is not exactly for everyone.