The first international airline that will depart Manila from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 will take off on August 1 as the modern aviation facility commences full operation next week.
Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya yesterday announced that Delta Airlines will have its first flight out of Terminal 3 on August 1 after Takenaka Corp. has successfully beat its July 31 deadline of supplying, installing and commissioning the deficient systems at the modern passenger terminal building.
“We are extremely pleased to confirm that full airline operations will begin at NAIA Terminal 3 next week. Our gateway airport will now be able to welcome 3.5 million more passengers with modern facilities every year, and Terminal 1 will now be considerably decongested to improve passenger convenience,” Abaya said.
According to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), five international carriers will relocate to Terminal 3 from Terminal 1.
“MIAA has informed us that Delta Airlines will have its first flight out of Terminal 3 on August 1st, while KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will move within the first week of August,” Abaya said.
“Singapore Airlines, Emirates, and Cathay Pacific will follow suit by the end of next month. These five carriers have the highest volume of international flights coming in and out of NAIA, so we look forward to giving them a new home,” he added.
According to DoTC, the transfer of the five foreign airlines will reduce Terminal 1’s annual passenger throughput from the current 8 million down to its design capacity of 4.5 million. The relocation will free up more space at Terminal 1 and reduce the number of travelers affected by the ongoing rehabilitation works.
Abaya took off from his predecessor’s negotiation with Takenaka Corp. and was able to seal a $40-million contract with the Japanese firm in August, 2013. Takenaka was then given a year to complete the various systems for Terminal 3 including flight information displays, computer terminals, gate coordination, landing bridges, and fire protection systems.
“When I assumed office in October, 2012, I continued Secretary Mar Roxas’ negotiations with Takenaka until we were able to convince them in July last year to finish the project. President Aquino’s Daang Matuwid promise calls for political will to prevail in order to deliver the government services our people deserve, so we made sure that 17 years and 4 administrations later, the whole Terminal 3 facility may be enjoyed by the public within this term,” Abaya stressed.
The Transportation chief admitted that around 85 percent of Takenaka’s completion works had been completed as of July 18 but said Terminal 3 can commence full operation while certain systems that are not critical such as building maintenance system are being finished within the year.
Earlier, Abaya disclosed a plan to construct a new terminal within NAIA to house low-cost carriers that are currently operating at Terminal 3. The plan is meant to set aside Terminal 3 as an exclusive facility for international airlines.