Airport chief apologizes for broken bag carousel

MANILA, Philippines — The chief of the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) has apologized after a baggage carousel breakdown at Ninoy Aquino International Airport left hundreds of passengers waiting for their luggage for hours.

Miaa General Manager Ed Monreal said in a statement that “delayed flights led to simultaneous arrivals” at Terminal 2 between 6:30 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. on Saturday.

“Unfortunately at the same time, one carousel broke down just before the surge in arrivals,” leaving only two to service all the passengers, he added. The broken carousel has since been repaired, he said.

Monreal apologized to the passengers of Philippine Airlines flights PR-731 from Bangkok, PR-508 from Singapore, PR-721 from London, PR-540 from Jakarta, PR-353 from Macau, PR-421 from Haneda and PR-337 from Shanghai.

He said that the renovation of Terminal 2 was in full swing, which was why there was also limited ventilation in certain areas.

One of the affected passengers was presidential spokes-person Salvador Panelo who told Malacañang reporters during his regular Monday briefing that it took two hours for him to retrieve his luggage. —With a report from Jerome Aning