‘Desert-like’ heat at Naia 1 causes passenger to faint

A London-bound passenger fainted on Thursday at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 (Naia 1) due to the unbearable heat as a result of the ongoing rehabilitation.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) identified the passenger as Angelita Baroso of Marilao, Bulacan, who was lined up with her family at the immigration area when she suddenly collapsed around 10 a.m.

Immigration officers called the airport’s medical emergency workers who revived Baroso after a few minutes. A doctor checked her blood pressure and vital signs and later declared her fit to travel.  She was also given bottled water and sandwiches.

Baroso was quoted by immigration officers as saying that the heat at the airport was unbearable, leaving her so exhausted that she fainted.

An 11-year-old girl also fainted in the immigration area last month for the same reason.

Air-conditioning units at Naia 1 have either been disabled or damaged by the ongoing renovation of the airport, a P1.64-billion project.

The poor ventilation in the area has been aggravated by the hot air coming from the runway. Last Sunday, the weather bureau recorded a temperature of 37.4 degrees Celsius at the Naia area.

Many passengers have turned to social media networks to complain about what they described as “oven-like” and “desert-like” conditions at Terminal 1.

Transportation Secretary Joseph Abaya, who had earlier apologized for the situation, said that four new aircon units would be delivered by September.  The MIAA will also rent air-conditioning units to alleviate passengers’ suffering, he added.