Ceiling collapses on one of world’s worst airports

MANILA, Philippines—The Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) on Tuesday ordered its engineers to inspect the structural integrity of Naia Terminal 1 after a concrete ceiling plaster collapsed, injuring two employees.

NaiaTerminal 1 manager Dante Basanta identified the victims as Benson Reyes, 20, a baggage loader; and Floserpida Tyson, 42, a security officer of Delta Air.

Reyes was wounded in the right ankle while Tyson suffered head injury. Both were taken to Makati Medical Center for treatment after they were given first aid at the airport, Basanta said.

According to the airport official, the concrete ceiling plaster at the baggage build-up area collapsed at around 5:20 a.m.

At around 4 p.m. the fiber cement board of third level parapet near Gate 7 fell, damaging a service vehicle of Lufthansa Technic.

He said that Miaa general manager Jose Angel Honrado had immediately ordered the engineering department to inspect the terminal to prevent similar incidents in the future.

“Siguro luma na din kasi,” Basanta said of the 30-year-old terminal when asked what caused the twin incidents. “Perhaps it’s already showing signs of old age.”

Naia, particularly Terminal 1, was voted one of the world’s 10 worst airports and the worst in Asia for 2010 by an interactive website.

The ranking was based on reviews of air travelers who complained of, among others, “safety concerns, lack of comfortable seating, rude staff, hostile security, poor facilities, no [or few] services to pass the time, bribery, and general hassles of being in the airport.”

Honrado said he respected the feedback from travelers, but added he hoped the general public would see the improvements at Naia.

“We are aware of the deficiencies. We really appreciate the comments and we’re trying to correct these things. But please understand that this will take time,” he said.

Following mounting complaints from passengers, Miaa has also started simplifying security processes inside Terminal 1.

Basanta said “too much human intervention” in security procedures inside terminal has already been eliminated starting Monday.

Security guards are no longer allowed to check the travel documents of passengers entering the terminal.

But Basanta assured that streamlining the security process doesn’t mean they are letting their guards down.

“Security remains tight; we would like to assure an improved passenger convenience but it doesn’t mean we’re sacrificing security,” he said.