Miaa ready for surge of ‘Undas’ passengers at Naia

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) on Tuesday said it was ready for the expected surge of passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) traveling during “Undas” — holidays marking All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1 and All Souls’ Day on Nov. 2.

In a statement, Miaa General Manager Ed Monreal said “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos” was all set at Naia.

He added that there would be Oplan desks jointly managed by Miaa operations, public affairs, police and medical teams in all Naia terminals.

On the other hand, Miaa said that Malasakit Help Desks (MHD), which will be manned by Miaa and representatives from the Civil Aeronautics Board, would handle all inquiries on airport and airline operations and rights of passengers.

The Department of Transportation earlier ordered all transport hubs nationwide to intensify MHD operations for “Undas.”

READ: DOTr orders transport hubs to level up help desk ops for ‘Undas’

Monreal reminded passengers to arrive early at Naia before departure — at least three hours for international flights and two hours for domestic flights.

“Airlines were, however, not discouraged to impose longer lead time for departure especially for those taking direct flights to America and Australia due to the added security measures now being implemented during check-in,” he read.

He also encouraged airline companies to use available counters “earlier than the standard occupancy schedule of three hours before departure time.”

“As compared to processing your passengers altogether when you open at the appointed time, we can somehow ease the queuing situation at the immigration if you are able to process passengers who are already there waiting ahead of 3 hours,” Monreal said.

He also urged airlines to process passengers with bags at the check-in counters instead of kiosks.

Domestic carriers using Terminal 3 should also monitor the availability of bus gates so they could direct passengers where to go.

As for paging announcements, Monreal urged airlines to tell their handling agents to limit announcements to three per flight, as well as using the PA system.

Airlines were also reminded that make sure that their planes would be “healthy for an easeful aircraft rotation” and that all problems related to crew flying hours would be attended to ahead of time.

/atm