Partial closure of NAIA 1 when rehab begins

Partial closure of NAIA 1 when rehab begins

MANILA, Philippines – Portions of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 (NAIA 1) will be closed when the terminal undergoes major rehabilitation starting December, according to Transportation secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya.

"There will be parts of the airport to be shut down to start the work, but at least, the airport is not totally shut down," Abaya said.

Abaya explained that closing some parts of the terminal is necessary to ensure that the rehabilitation project will be completed by November 2014, in time for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meetings. The Philippines will host the APEC Summit in 2015.

“Clearly the main objective is to get NAIA 1 rehabilitated for APEC so if convenience of everybody will always be our parameter, we cannot move forward. So we have to swallow the bitter pill to get things moving forward, and improve,” he added.

The government had long planned to renovate NAIA 1, which was tagged again as the world's worst airport by visitors of travel website The Guide to Sleeping in Airports. (READ: What's the real score in NAIA 1 project).

World-renowned designer Kenneth Cobonpue and his team, and architecture firm Leandro V. Locsin and Associates were tapped by government to give the old and congested terminal a facelift. (READ: Rivals to partners: Cobonpue, Locsin to make over NAIA-1)

NAIA 1 has been accommodating 8 million passengers a year, way higher than its intended capacity of 4.5 million.

Transfer to NAIA 3

The rehabilitation of NAIA 1 complements the upgrade of NAIA 3, Abaya stressed.

The transportation secretary explained some operations in Terminal 1 will be transferred to Terminal 3 in phases.

"Hopefully, this will work complementarily because once we get parts of [Terminal 3] operational, we'll transfer some operations so NAIA 1's load will be lightened," he said.

Upgrade of NAIA 3 starts this month. Japanese contractor Takenaka Corporation was given until July 2014 to complete civil works for the 182,500-square meter terminal.

Only half of Terminal 3 has been considered structurally safe since it partially opened in 2008.

Takenaka's work contract covers "23 systems," which include flight information display, baggage handling and reconciliation, fire alarm and protection, and passenger boarding bridges, among others. (READ: Aquino on NAIA 3 delays: Pls bear with me) – Rappler.com

Open Letter to Gen. Jose Angel Honrado (Ret) from The Naia Guy

Open Letter to Gen. Honrado from The NAIAguy (@naiaguy)

June 28, 2013

Gen. Jose Angel Honrado (Ret)
General Manager
Manila International Airport Authority
Pasay City, Philippines

Dearest fellow aviator,

Hope this letter finds you well. It seems that you missed to reply on two email messages I sent to you regarding:

http://www.naiaguy.info/2013/01/22/dear-gen-honrado-issues-with-planespotters-again/
http://www.naiaguy.info/2012/11/13/an-open-letter-to-the-miaa-general-manager-planespotting/
I tend to believe that you had overlooked to send me your responses on those messages of mine (hoping that they were not misplaced nor intentionally discarded by your loyal assistants).

It has came to my attention that some MIAA personnel (particularly your IID and AGM-SES/APD people) again are “harassing” members of the Philippine Planespotters Group (PPSG), who often times watch planes land and fly out of Manila via the NAIA at the end of Runway 06/24 (outside of the airport’s perimeter fence; along the Multinational Avenue — a public domain).

Members of the PPSG are hobbyists, who are armed with just digital cameras (from the simple cellphone camera, to the point-and-shoot ones, and to a certain extent — dSLR’s for some). Did I mentioned that this group’s membership include our fellow aviators, aeronatutical engineers, private pilots, and even students from all over the country? There are even some local tourists who take time and exerts a little bit of effort going to that spot along Multinational Avenue just to take a shot or two of their favorite airlines before flying back to their hometowns.

I do not see the point of your security personnel shooing PPSG members away from the fence (which is already outside of the airport; along the public road called Multinational Avenue) to the extent of “inviting” them for questioning (by means of sending out a government vehicle to fetch them from the Multinational Avenue to the IID Office at the Basement of the NAIA Terminal 1) to the Intelligence and Investigation Department office of the airport for questioning.

In your response letter to me dated June 08, 2012 and if I may quote:

“There is no existing airport security regulation which prohibits plane spotters from taking pictures of airplanes from outside the NAIA perimeter fence. These plane spotters are not considered threats to airport security for as long as they keep their activities outside the restricted airside area.”

Will appreciate if you can enlighten and explain to your IID personnel what you meant of PPSG or  planespotters, in general being NOT CONSIDERED as THREATS to airport security, since they are outside of the airside restricted area. Better, if you can define what is inside ando/or outside of the airside restricted area.

You see, PPSG members are here to help us promote a safer Philippine aviation industry. Not to mention that they are also contributing to the promotion of local tourism — with some of the photos taken by PPSG members being used by the local and foreign media. Also, in the event of an accident (knock on wood), who knows … maybe one of the PPSG members were able to capture something that may be of great value during such incident investigation?

Appreciate to receive your response the soonest.

PS: Let me remind you of RA9485 (Section 8B: All requests submitted shall be acted upon by the assigned officer or employee during the period stated in the Citizen’s Charter which shall not be longer than five (05) working days …”


Original Article

FINALLY!! Make-over for tired NAIA Terminal 1

Internationally renowned Filipino designers have agreed to give the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 a much-needed makeover for free, Malacanang said on Wednesday.

"The Cobonpue Group will be allowed to do the interiors of NAIA 1 building with Architect (Andy) Locsin handling the architectural services, and Architect Locsin will be architect of record," Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) Secretary Joseph Abaya said in a statement read over state-run Radyo ng Bayan on Wednesday.

These designers are Kenneth Cobonpue, Royal Pineda, and Budji Layug.

"For the greeters’ area, it will still be Architect Locsin doing the conceptual design and the architect of record. The Cobonpue Group will help out in the interiors," Abaya added.

Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said the Cobonpue Group has offered their services pro bono.

The Cobonpue group initially offered their design plan for the airport in 2011.

The government has set aside P2.8 billion for the rehabilitation of NAIA Terminal 1.

Article by Interaksyon

Designs by Mr. Cobonpue

Cathay Pacific Economy B773 MNL-HK / Dragonair Economy A330 HK-PEK

Our flight was suppose to depart around 11:00 am but due to heavy congestion, the return aircraft was a little late and our flight departed around 11:30 from the gate and take-off was around 12:00 pm. MNL-HK-MNL is a heavy route since many people go to Hong Kong for travel, and OFWs. CX have a total of 6 flights daily from this route. the economy class is about 98% full and business class i think is about 30% full.

no more english newspapers :(

shell type seat configuration. It didn't recline which made it uncomfortable but the seat was soft.

cup holder

Power outlet

Safety Card

PTV. I didn't like the safety video (it was soo boring) it didn't catch any attention and I don't like animated 3D like people. 

Qatar Airways A330

Asiana Airlines (Star Alliance Livery)

Philippine Air Force's Hercules

PAL A320

Headset

LCC Cebu Pacific's A320

PAL's A340 going to USA

PAL's B747 / Qantas A380

Lucky! there are episodes og 2 broke girls!

Since it's only a 2 hour flight, the inflight meal was sandwich.

CX's New Regional Business Class. Awesome!

Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 / NAIA T1

Timeline:

1) Sec. Mar Roxas (DOTC Secretary from 2010-2012, now DILG sec.) under PNOY admin made an effort to fix all the basic and yet important complaints against NAIA.

2) Full declaration that Terminal 3 of NAIA is not under Gov't. Legal cases have been settled

3) Removal of the Common Carrier's Tax (3%) and Gross Philippine Billing Tax (2%)

4) 24 hr shift of NAIA Personnel (which made KLM stop it's direct flight from Amsterdam in which the only direct link form Europe, now it currently has a stop over in taiwan)

5) CAAP formally passed the ICAO audit for Significant Safety Concern (SSS) which the FAA and EU Aviation follow.

6) PAL's aggressive expansion and modernization fleet in (64 order of narrow and wide body aircraft for short-medium haul destinations) PAL will buy more long range aircraft.

Problems:

1) Over congestion at the runways

2) Poor Airport Facilities

3) Bird Strikes

4) Custom and Immigration Personnel - addressed

5) Long Queues for Check-In, Immigration. - adressed

6) Old, dirty toilets - addressed

7) No good food Choices 

Here are the pictures of evidences.

Baggage Carousel

Old School

New Check-In counters! yey to that!

Long Queue for Qatar Airways 

Stress at NAIA T1 during peak hours

NAIA 1 rehab to be finished in 18 months

MANILA, Philippines - The rehabilitation of the 30-year old Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 is seen to be completed by 2014, Transportation Secretay Joseph Emilio Abaya said.

"The rehabilitation of Naia Terminal 1 could be done within 18 to 19 months from now," Abaya said. The DOTC has tapped firms Ovie Arup and C-Square for the design and construction, respectively.

The completion and approval of the design is expected to be done within a couple of months, Abaya said, after which the P1.6-billion rehabilitation may begin.

"While the rehab work is being done there will be no shut down of Naia 1," Abaya stressed.

Part of the upgrade includes the construction of a two rapid-exit taxiways and an arrival extension area, the replacement of tiles and fixtures, re-piping of water lines, and removal of escalators, among others.

The government is speeding up the rehabilitation of NAIA Terminal 1, as the airport once again was named worst in Asia by travel website Sleeping in Airports.

Article Link

I really wish they give priority not only to the structure, aesthetics, toilets, and shops, but also AIRPORT PERSONNEL. Bribes, Corruption, Theft, etc. exist. I hope in the future, NAIA would be one of the most efficient airport in Asia.

NAIA Terminal 4 / Seair / Planespotting

Okay, It's mi first time to fly with Seair-Tiger Airways and so far It's the best LCC yet in the Philippines. So far, no really aggravating negative comment with seair. :) Flight is on Time and Aircraft is relatively new.  

It's been decades since last time I utilized NAIA Terminal 4 (Domestic Terminal) and apparently they have renovated. I think. there are signs, renovated toilets, more lights, and more check in counters.

Tips before you travel

Hello There!

I've been back and forth to many places since i was little. I've experienced luxury travel and budget travel. Regardless of your budget, It's always necessary to bring items that are essential to help you with your travel.

Must bring items:

1) It's necessary to bring camera or mobile phones with camera (well, mobile phones now are made with complete features). It's so nice to capture every moment of what is happening around you. I always take picture of everything that is nice and pretty (although I'm not knowledgeable about photography, still it's so good to look back at pictures)

2) MP3 players, Ipod, Ipad/Tablet, reading materials. If your bored while waiting for your departure, it's necessary to load your gadgets with tons of games, reading materials, movies, etc.

3) In my case, Laptop. I never leave my laptop at home during travel, it's like my other half. I survived my 9 hour waiting time at the airport last november 2011 (super delayed flight) because i brought with my my laptop which i loaded with tons of movies, games, and tv series. No worry for the battery since, airports have a lot of power sockets. Thanks to that.

4) Food. Food is expensive inside the airport, if you are in a budget or no more currency then you can instead buy some food outside the airport and put it in a container. Water and other liquid material that is in excess of 100ml is prohibited upon check-in (according to some articles, it may be used for hydro-based explosive materials)

5) MONEY.

Things to do when you are heavy packer.

1) Always measure your luggage before going to the airport to avoid hassle.

2) If you are traveling utilizing a budget or low cost carrier, it's always a must to be aware of the terms and condition of your airfare. Most LCCs are very strict with baggage. Always remember to buy airfares that have baggage if you are heavy packer. I myself is a heavy packer, for a usual 3 day stay i would pack that is good for a week.

3) if you are going to shopping destination, pack few clothes so that you still have space for the things that you will buy. (learned that the hard way)

4) Don't complain about your heavy luggage since you are heavy packer in the first place.


Things to do inside the terminal

1) Do observe and be calm.

2) Do not go overboard if something is wrong with the schedule / reservation / luggage etc.

3) Use the toilet before going to the terminal (you may be facing hell on earth)

4) Use your gadgets to kill time provided that you are still aware with the announcements.


Finally,

It's necessary to study of your point of destination. Don't react like what happened to Claudine, Raymart Santiago vs Mon Tulfo. If bumped off, know your right and compensation.

The New and yet Old NAIA Terminal 3

The new and yet old NAIA T3. This terminal was scheduled to open year 2002 but alleged corruption, red tape, etc delayed the opening and the finishing construction of the decade old terminal. 

It was only this year that the Government won the arbitration case against Piatco and parent company Fraport AG. The saga of this T3 is so exhausting that i needed to take an advil (I'm not joking). Apparently Piatco and Fraport violated the Anti-Dummy Law of the Ph (40% is the only allowed stake of a foreign firm in buying or investing to a local company). Not only that, there are tons of anomalous deals made by former corrupt cabinet secretaries and of course the infamous former president - Joseph Estrada.

Anyways, here are some pictures (pictures are not mine)  

Finally! Good News for NAIA T1

NAIA-1 gets P1-billion face-lift

By Recto Mercene, BusinessMirror

Posted at 11/07/2011 7:16 AM | Updated as of 11/07/2011 1:14 PM

MANILA, Philippines - A newly refurbished Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 will rise from the shell of the old, much-maligned main gateway, but still would not provide free sleeping quarters for vagrants and those on a tight budget. The repairs will cost P1 billion.
According to Terminal 1 Manager Dante Basanta, the NAIA-1 had a “dayroom” decades ago, rented at P840 per day ($20) and located near the arrival area, just beside the duty-free shops.
(The “dayroom” is still there, available for those who may want to use it, although it’s not being properly advertised by airport authorities. Most of the time, however, the area is used as a holding room for those scheduled for deportation and who are awaiting their flights.)
The face-lift of NAIA-1 will start in January and is expected to be finished within 2012. The 67,000-square-meter building has a capacity of 4.5 million passengers a year. Last year it served way beyond its capacity—or some 7.3 million people.
The tight space and limited amenities have irked some bloggers who, unable to find sleeping quarters at NAIA-1, graded it the worst in the world.
NAIA-1 was recently voted as the “World’s Worst Airport to Sleep In” by the “The Guide to Sleeping in Airports,” a web site of  low-budget travelers who used the airport as overnight motels to save on money.
But Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) General Manager Jose Angel Honrado said this is not why the passenger terminal is being spruced up; the undertaking had been discussed by various administrations in the past.
Honrado said the firm of Leandro V. Locsin and Associates, the original architect of NAIA-1, is helping conceptualize ideas about how the newly rebuilt structure would look.
Also part of the project are furniture and interior designer Budji Layug, architect Royal Pineda and Cebuano designer Kenneth Cobonpue, who are providing their expertise pro bono to give the NAIA-1 a major face-lift, 30 years after it was constructed. The original design was by National Artist for Architecture Leandro V. Locsin.
Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas II is spearheading the NAIA-1 restoration. He held consultations last week with top officials of the customs, immigration and quarantine bureaus, as well as the Miaa.
Customs Commissioner Rozanno Rufino Biazon, Immigration Commissioner Ricardo David Jr., Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez Jr. and Honrado attended the meeting.
The interior renovation will cost P450 million, while the park development will fetch P500 million.
“The proposed P1-billion budget will help build a new image of the Philippines,” according to Pineda, who said in a recent interview that Naia 1, like all modern airports, would provide a “boutique” experience, “not so much for its modest size as for its distinct atmosphere of civility and expedience.”
To expedite the flow of arriving and departing passengers, concessionaires such as banks and insurance companies that are now located smack in the middle of the arrival and departure zones would be moved to the sides.
“Flow takes precedence. The proposed master plan includes freeing up the space to accommodate more passengers by transferring the offices and banks elsewhere,” Pineda said.
The arrival area, which had been expanded recently, will be surrounded by glass so that passengers could see all the way to the lobby and beyond, according to Honrado. He also said the wall that separates the customs from the luggage section would have to give way so that natural light from the outside would illuminate the area.
There are also plans to make the waiting lounge more pleasant and to add restrooms, Honrado said.
The proposal calls for refurbishing the facilities, decongesting, developing a park and enhancing the retail environment. It also calls for NAIA to work equally hard on the software, and the services.
Honrado said the National Competitiveness Council Program (NCCP) asked Layug, Pineda and Cobonpue to offer their own suggestions on the face-lift as part of a program to improve the country’s image. The NCCP was established by Presidential Executive Order 571, which seeks to improve the country’s competitiveness from the bottom third of competitiveness rankings to the top third by 2016.
According to the three designers, the airport and Roxas Boulevard need the most attention since they provide the visitor his or her initial impression of the country.
Pineda said the renovation of NAIA-1’s structure would  be limited; it can no longer be expanded; nor can it accommodate extra load, he said in their web site. “We will create a boutique airport. With a small terminal, we can show efficiency and hospitality.”
Pineda said function would be the main priority. “It’s not just about adding toilets and rectifying the look, but also verifying the structural integrity of the building,” he said.
The team also recommended improvements in the operations, such as incorporating the terminal fee in the ticket instead of letting people line up. Only those with exit clearances, exempting them from travel tax and terminal fees, should queue in the counters. “Let majority of the passengers enjoy the smooth flow in the airport,” Pineda was quoted as having said.
Taking into consideration the Filipino culture of hatid-sundo, Honrado said the designers have addressed the need for an arrival extension for families and friends sending off or welcoming the passengers.
Honrado said the design team had proposed that the concrete open-parking lot in Terminal 1 be transformed into a three-story parking space and a lush landscape lined with select food outlets. The proposed park will showcase not only the best of Filipino dining brands but also changing art exhibits. A canopied walkway will lead to the greeters and well-wishers’ lounge.
Welcome parties can wait in the restaurants and enjoy the garden so that the lots can also become income-generating spaces.

Breakfast at Cafe France / Philippine Airlines A320-200

I bought my promo fare ticket going to cebu at the website of PAL last February and it costs me  around P2,400 or around $58 which is very very cheap considering a budget airline would normally costs same round trip fare ticket. I'm very pleased in what San Miguel Corp. is doing to win back the loyalty of passengers to PAL. 

NAIA T2 can be very congested especially during morning flights between 6am-10am. It was a big "Ugghh" upon enter NAIA T2. There are so many people standing in line to check in, to pay terminal fee, security check, Lines everywhere! it gets frustrating when you woke up early and haven't eaten your breakfast just to get to your gate but problem is: you have to go stand in line to different points just to get to your gate. When you get to your gate waiting seats are full. A big  UGGH!

Good thing our flight has no line, Check in was a breeze! after 5 min, and viola! check in!

What I like about PAL domestic is that you can ask the check in counter for seats near the front. 

Stand in line again for security

A PAL A330-300

Inflight Meal. So So sad. 

Good thing i bought a chicken salad from Cafe France at the airport. The salad was very ordinary considering the price was not that cheap. I wish Cafe France would do something about this.

Chunky Chicken Sandwich: I chose croissant bread since it's my fave and i love eating croissant bread when hot. The sandwich was pretty good and yummy. The filling was enough not to thick and not to thin, it was a little thick and very chunky indeed.

PAL's new A320-200 with new Recaro Seats. I can still smell it's factory smell.

I was so surprised that they provide inflight entertainment! I think this was Glee Season 2 or the Glee: Rocky Horror Picture Show. I was so impressed with PAL. That's why i never fly budget. 

landing at Mactan Cebu Airport

I'm always loyal to PAL, That's why i convert all my points to miles. Considering it's competitive price against budget carriers, and after horrid experience with cebu pacific, I vow never to fly budget again. But unfortunately, I'm booked for Hong Kong on October via AirAsia, and Bacolod via SeaAir. let's see if I'll be able to go back to Manila alive. :)