The operator of Ninoy Aquino International Airport, New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC), identified an aging infrastructure as the main cause of the baggage handling issue in Terminal 3.
NNIC is working closely with Cebu Pacific (CEB) to address a malfunction in the baggage handling system.
Both NNIC and Cebu Pacific have increased manpower and activated alternative systems and protocols to minimize the impact on travelers and expedite baggage processing.
The incident, according to NNIC, highlights the urgent need to upgrade NAIA’s aging infrastructure.
NNIC took over the operational management of the country’s premier international gateway on September 14.
It said it has already procured a new, advanced system with additional redundancy measures to prevent future disruptions and enhance operational efficiency.
Cebu Pacific said earlier it is dealing with passenger concerns regarding delayed bags caused by technical issues with the baggage handling system at Terminal 3.
The airline assembled a special team to handle the situation and is offering options for passengers to have their bags delivered to their destination or pick them up at the airport for domestic flights.
Similar options are available for international flights, along with delivery services for passengers with onward destinations.
The airline assured passengers that they are working diligently to expedite baggage deliveries and provide prompt assistance to all affected passengers.
Several passengers shared their experiences on social media regarding their luggage.
One of them, a female passenger, mentioned that upon arriving in Cebu around 9 a.m. on October 21, she and her colleagues discovered that their luggage was still in NAIA Terminal 3.
They filed the necessary paperwork to have their luggage retrieved but did not receive the promised updates. The provided mobile number for updates was unreachable, constantly giving a busy tone.
Labor leader and senatorial candidate Leody de Guzman recently criticized the airport private operator for raising fees without making any improvements at the airport.
He said on October 1, the airport’s overnight or 24-hour car parking rates increased to P1,200 from the previous P300.
The short-term parking, which used to be P40 for the first three hours and P15 for each hour thereafter, has become P50 and P25, according to De Guzman.
“I also discovered that the rent for other concessionaires and service providers leasing land at NAIA will also be increased. This includes companies in food handling, ground mechanics and maintenance, cargo, and more,” he added.
De Guzman stated that these fee hikes will not only affect overseas Filipino workers and their families but will also impact local tourism, importers, and exporters, as various airport-related services will become more expensive.
