FILE PHOTO: Passengers queue at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City as they wait to board their flights following the resumption of airport operations on Jan. 2, 2023. INQUIRER file photo / RICHARD A. REYES
MANILA, Philippines — Air passengers must brace for power interruptions at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) Terminal 3 as airport authorities conduct a series of power maintenance activities at the country’s international gateway.
This is according to the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa), which said in a statement on Thursday that power maintenance activities at Terminal 3 started on April 2 and may last until May 28 of this year.
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Miaa clarified that these maintenance activities aim to replace deteriorated medium voltage switchgear components across eight different electrical substations within Terminal 3.
The power shutdowns will affect the terminal’s open and multi-level parking, its main substation, and its substations in the South and North concourses, according to airport authorities.
“As far as practicable, these will start at midnight when the least [number] of flights is scheduled,” it said.
Miaa assured Naia passengers that standby generator sets would be available at each substation to provide uninterrupted power supply to critical airport systems, ensuring continuous processing of passengers and flights.
However, air travelers should anticipate reduced air conditioning supply in certain areas of Terminal 3, and occasional malfunctions of elevators and escalators, Miaa continued.
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“The Miaa remains steadfast in completing these necessary and crucial upgrades while having to deal with inevitable power interruptions in the course of the project,” it said.
In the same statement, Miaa General Manager Eric Ines sought the support of airport passengers as the agency conducts the maintenance activities.
“We apologize to all our airport stakeholders. Rest assured that the benefits of this electric systems upgrade will far outweigh the inconveniences it may bring in the course of its implementation. We seek for more patience and understanding from everyone,” Ines was quoted as saying.
The power maintenance activities, which will last for over a month, are a continuation of the electrical systems upgrade at Terminal 3, which began in 2023.
Naia’s Terminal 2 was hit by a power outage on Holy Wednesday, March 27, as its electricity supply fluctuated, which was caused by an increased load due to the high heat index temperature, Miaa spokesperson Chris Bendijo earlier explained.