NAIA 3 Opens!

Okay folks, its all over the various news media, and the behemoth of an issue is finally operational, at least partially. We can say that it was a real GO! And for us passengers, let's wait a bit more till we see if this will ever in fact prosper into something good for all of us.

Am not that obsessed about airport news (yet) and so I did not bother going there early this morning to have a go-see how the operations started. First plane out was at 0515H c/o Cebu Pacific Air going to Caticlan. Like hello! I slept at 0330H hehe! So, I opted to wait and read the news :)

Are we all excited?
Just the NAIA 3 or NAIA III task force probably. Oh okay, perhaps also John G!

There are little issues at the moment and let's all hope the folks in the lead get to resolve them soonest. Like? If you noticed those flights that used the big building earlier today were ATRs - propeller planes. That means, after check-in and waiting for your boarding call, you are herded down some flight of the stairs to the tarmac and walk to board your plane. Why? Because we hear that during testing last week, one of the aero-bridges malfunctioned. We don't know if the authorities bothered to check if all those air-bridges malfunctioned. Just the same, someone somewhere decided the bridges cannot be used hehe!

Basta, the NAIA 3 or NAIA III or IPT3 or Ninoy Aquino International Airport - Terminal 3 has started operations.

Now what?
Now what ka dyan! How are you going there? Did you consider that? For most of us who commute when going to the airport, this is a significant consideration. So consider and reconsider your usual routes to take full advantage and have a little more comfort using NAIA 3.

From Caloocan, Quezon City, Pasig, Cainta, Mandaluyong, San Juan and the northern and eastern portions of the metropolis - your best bet would be to take Fort Bonifacio and cross unto Nichols (ok Villamor Airbase if you insist). From Pasay, Ermita and nearby areas, this is a little bit tricky. Consider if you want to go to Tramo since there is no left-turn going to T3 (yep terminal 3). You still take a right-turn, negotiate a u-turn near the domestic airport, then back to Nichols (ok Villamor) so you can enter the NAIA 3! From Cavite and Las Pinas, go your usual way but head down straight to Nichols (ok Villamor! sus!). And finally, from Alabang (if you are nearer the SLEX) and Laguna, Batangas etc... enter at Nichols (ok Villamor hehe) from the SLEX!

But why?!
Go scan and skim the news - you'd be happy to note that CEB (Cebu Pacific Air) is considering "migrating" their flights to T3 soon as they feel like it's doing good. After that, the talk jumps into Air Philippines, PAL, PAL Express and other International Airlines following suit!

Why isn't the Manila Domestic Airport part of the equation? Is that trying to tell us that this dilapidating and ugly building is staying for long to house Asian Spirit, SeaAir and other smaller airlines? Not that I have a life-threatening issue but I thought... before talking about the "residents" of NAIA 1 and NAIA 2, maybe the NAIA 3 task force should consider erasing that old Manila Domestic Airport Building from the map? It's outdated, outmoded and literally plain ugly in the presence of three newer buildings like the NAIA1, 2 and 3. We have got to move away from the "boiling-hot check-in area with an air-conditioned waiting lounge" types of rubbish! Please? Where would anyone rather want to feel the cooler air? While at rest in the holding area waiting for that boarding call or while grueling with the thousands of people and luggage in a cramped check-in counter?

Okay folks, that's about it right now but..

Jack, if you plan to continue your "walking-transits" here are a few things to consider:
  • NAIA 1 to NAIA 2 is just about 1.1km of a walk (from door-to-door via the cargo terminal)
  • NAIA 1 to Manila Domestic is about 2.4km walk (you know that)
  • NAIA 2 to Manila Domestic is about 2.6km walk (you told me that)
AND I add...
  • NAIA 1 to NAIA 3 is about 4.6km
  • NAIA 2 to NAIA 3 is about 4.8km
  • Domestic Terminal to NAIA 3 is about 2.25km
So good luck and happy walking!

But ooops WAIT! I do not particularly like walking in and around the vicinity of "14.526167, 121.011068". Not that I have seen anyone being mugged or something but the place looks like a real candidate for tourists like you to have some little issues hehe! Then again, if you were Pinoy, from that area you can actually take a trike ride all the way to EDSA (Malibay area) and walk your way to Magallanes!

Oh well, we have a new airport terminal that is very young at already 6 years old at start of operations! Again, only in the PI as in PI talaga hehehe! Aren't you proud?! Yey!

Post a Comment

0 Comments