Miaa downplays long queues at Naia for US-bound flights

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) said on Thursday that long queues at the airport due to heightened security measures for flights bound for the United States is not new.

Officers from the Miaa’s media affairs office said the policy to add security checkpoints was in line with the request of the US Department of Homeland Security.

“Ever since naman may additional security na talaga doon, lahat ng US-bound flight matagal nang may existing (third checkpoint),” a representative of the media office said in a phone interview with INQUIRER.net.

(Ever since there is really additional security measures for US-bound flights. There has been a third checkpoint for a long time.)

The Miaa representative explained that the standard is two x-ray inspections, but for US-bound flights, there is an additional x-ray inspection before boarding the flight.

Complaints have mounted recently regarding the long queues at checkpoints for US-bound flights inside the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 1.

The Miaa, however, has already warned the public about the convenience after the US-DHS’ Transportation and Security Administration division found Naia’s security protocol lacking last December.

READ: Miaa appeals to public to cooperate with security enhancements at Naia 

Airport inspectors are also now implementing chemical swabbing on luggage to determine if there are traces of substances used to make explosives.

The Department of Transportation, Miaa’s mother agency, previously announced that security inside the terminals is top priority.

US Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Kim said he is confident the department can improve the measures already in place. /ee

READ: DOTr vows strict Naia security after US travel advisory

READ: US envoy confident DOTr can improve Naia security measures