Airport blues

Beyond Brushstrokes

Airport blues

By Marivic Rufino

In previous articles (Keeping up; Keeping Pace, and Airport Blues Parts 1 & 2) I had written about how we pale in comparison with our original ASEAN partners. Business travelers and tourists have voted Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) as the "worst airport in the world."

Our airport infrastructure is definitely not at par with the terminals and runways of Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. The younger, emerging ASEAN countries have better infrastructure.

Once upon a time -- some 50 years ago -- we had been considered modern, progressive, and prosperous. We used to be the envy of our neighbors. Many scholars came to study technology in agriculture and business management.

Now they have surpassed us and excelled in their respective countries.

We have been frozen in a time warp like Rip van Winkle. Things have slowed down, regressed or remained static in the Third World.

Our dilapidated and smelly NAIA terminal is in an advanced state of decay. Our sole runway is bumpy. Travelers and balikbayans are shocked, dismayed and turned off at the depressing condition of our old terminal facilities and by the chaos at the arrivals area.

Only the PAL terminal is presentable and very clean. However, passengers who arrive and depart on other carriers do not see it. Terminal III has limited use.

What is the point of trying to promote the country if we cannot even make a good impression, a lasting impression?

Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Singapore and Hong Kong all have modernistic international airport terminals with excellent infrastructure and superior amenities.

Malaysia and Indonesia have moved their airport terminals thrice to new locations farther away from capitals. Singapore has moved twice and its current airport is one of the most efficient in the world. These airports have limited access highways that bring passengers to and from the city with ease.

Siem Reap’s (Angkor Wat) new airport in Cambodia (built with funds from the Asian Development Bank) is sleek, modern and functional. It has spotless and fragrant restrooms. The well-paved runway is a big contrast to our runway.

Although Narita (Japan) has only one super runway, it has the capacity and high tech equipment to remove and clear any aircraft that may disrupt the smooth flow of traffic.

Here’s a personal anecdote.

Not too long ago, this writer was on PR105 (from San Francisco) and the plane was diverted to Mactan airport. Why? Because NAIA has only one runway and there was a plane that was blocking the runway.. (At that time, the airport did not have the proper equipment to tow the plane quickly.)

In this case, an Air Force C130 made an emergency landing and was stuck on the runway with flat tires.

The pilot announced that the flight had to remain on hold due to the blocked runway. After 30 minutes, the pilot decided to refuel in Mactan and await clearance to land in Manila.

Weary, bleary-eyed passengers deplaned and waited at the air- conditioned lounge. The Mactan international terminal is in much better shape (with clean restrooms) than NAIA.

After several hours of fidgeting, calling and worrying, the jet-lagged group boarded the plane. We had the pleasure of having the same cheerful crew (that had been working for more than 25 hours). The pilots, purser and flight attendants were terribly exhausted but they remained cool, friendly and very reassuring. They made the ordeal bearable.

After 18 hours, the "direct and non-stop 12-hour" flight (that refueled in Honolulu and Mactan) finally landed -- smoothly -- at 1115 hours. Alas, the bumpy runway reminded us that we had returned to harsh reality of home.

Welcome to the Philippines!

Post Script: An Appeal to the DoTC

1. We should build a new world-class airport with two runways and an exclusive highway for convenient access. It should be located many kilometers north of congested Metro Manila. (Clark Field?) There should be interconnecting international and domestic terminals with all the facilities, infrastructure, a highly trained polite security staff and the best maintenance crew and equipment.

2. We should have friendly, efficient and honest staff to handle disabled passengers. Our service leaves much to be desired compared to other countries. In Spain and France, for example, wheelchair passengers are treated with respect and care without tips! In our NAIA, we have very good and attentive staff but there are a few bad eggs. Some predatory mercenary staff (contracted by the airlines) ask for big tips from the helpless passengers. This behavior should not be allowed. It reflects poorly on management.

3. Our terminals (NAIA) and the other terminals in the country should have decent, clean and fragrant lavatories with running water, basic amenities and efficient attendants. Cleanliness is a definite must. The state of the restrooms reveals a lot about our attitude towards visitors, travelers and tourists.