Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal III

Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal III

Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal III

Well, it seems that pigs really do fly. The Ninoy Aquino Interantional Airport Terminal III in Manila, finally opened it’s doors to the world. The brand new terminal was at the center of controversy for years because of alleged irregularities in the contract. We’ll leave that to politics. For now, I was just glad that the terminal is finally open for business. One of the first airlines to set up shop there was Cebu Pacific Airlines. It was a big risk for them since there terminal is not even completed yet.

Lots of Check In Counters

Lots of Check In Counters

I was there to catch an early flight out of Manila and the terminal is still lit up quite nicely. From the outside it really looks modern and cutting edge. The outside has a vague resemblance to the Hong Kong International Airport. Going in was a breeze, the security would check if you have the proper identification and the ticket and you’re through. Immediately, you get to experience your first security check in the form of x-raying of bags. I noticed though that the staff manning the x-rays weren’t really as vigilant as I expected them to be with them joking around all the time.

Massive Pillars Hold The Roof Up

Massive Pillars Hold The Roof Up

The interior of the airport is something else. This is where the similarities to Hong Kong International Airport really comes into being. There are massive pillars holding up the roof giving the terminal a very spacious feeling. The lighting is subdued is very similar to the uplighting used in Hong Kong. There were rows of check in counters which was a welcome sight if you have been to the Terminal I. Before you enter the check in area, there is yet another security check.

Shopping Area is Still Quite Bare

Shopping Area is Still Quite Bare

After check in, comes immigration. This is where it all starts to break down. The counter for the terminal fee is a tiny counter where everyone needs to queue up for. This area doesn’t seem to be finished yet. Since I was a taking a domestic flight, I didn’t need to go through immigration. Beyond immigration is the usual shopping center/mall. Disappointingly, there weren’t a lot of shops open for business yet. But the good news is, there is a lot of construction going on, so there is a good chance that by the time you read this a lot more would have already opened.

Towards the Departure Area

Towards the Departure Area

I got a breakfast of ensaymada and Milo. It was probably the most expensive breakfast I’ve ever had in the Philippines. Maybe I had set my expections too high but the food or anything for that matter is extremely expensive inside the terminal. After all, they do have a captive audience. After breakfast, there was nothing to do but wait. There was no shopping mall to walk around in. There were no internet station where passengers can surf. There wasn’t even any TV to entertain them. Finally, there weren’t individual rooms for individual flights but I guess it didn’t really matter for me. The people all sit in a cordoned off group of benches that serves as their departure area.

Going to the Bridge

Going to the Bridge

The new terminal has a lot of promise. The look is quite impressive and a lot of stuff already work. However, people would always notice the stuff that doesn’t work and there is a lot more to be done in this regard. Probably my biggest gripe is how small the terminal looks and feels. I guess coming from airports like Hong Kong and Singapore, I can’t help but compare Terminal III with them. Then again, if the air traffic cannot support the use of a giant terminal it would be a huge waste of public money. Maybe if they provide the option for expansion then it would be great. The Philippines is finally getting there. Terminal III is certainly a step in the right direction.

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