10 Funny Things About Philippine Airports
With Summer Season just around the corner, I’m pretty sure that a lot of you are getting ready to be fit, physically and financially. And with 7,107 islands to explore in this beautiful Philippines, I bet that you are targeting not just one but two or more beautiful sites around the nation.
But before you head out and enjoy the sun, sea and sand, make sure that you are also ready to face the challenges brought by our “world-renowned” airports. I listed down 10 of the funny things about our airports – about Philippine airports.
1. We have so many gates, but only few are open.
(from the web)
In NAIA 3, if you’ll notice, there are so many gates, which if I’m not mistaken, about a dozen on both Arrival and Departure areas. But believe it or not, most of the time, only one is available to be used, so don’t be surprised if you have to fall in line just to have your bags and luggages scanned.
2. Guards are not familiar or well oriented with most of the things/happenings inside the airport.
(stock photo)
Believe it or not, and I experienced this twice, when you ask a guard inside the airport, most of them are not familiar with places like comfort rooms, ATMs and etc. Though, some of them may pretend to know by saying “Duon” with their lips puckered pointing to a spot or something, but at the end, you’ll end up looking for that place on your own.
3. In NAIA, you have to take a shuttle bus to get to your airplane.
(stock photo)
Don’t worry, you don’t have to pay for the shuttle, but yeah, due to congestion and poor ground control at NAIA, you have to take a bus first to board your plane. Enjoy the ride, but make sure that you hold on tight at the bars or you might end up in the hospital.
4. In provinces, instead of diners, you'll see a lot of “pasalubong” stores and “carinderias” around the airport. Tricycles and its terminals are also to be found instead of taxis and taxi bays.
(stock photo)
Relax, don’t panic, we have a thousand ways to get you to your desired destination!
5. Some domestic airports look like schools or libraries and canteens! - Chakaness!
(stock photo)
It’s sad that before you see the beauty of our country, you have to pass through this state. :-(
6. Paying Terminal Fees. There's no airport in the Philippines that has no Terminal Fee. NKKLK!
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Like a highway robbery, ALL airports in the Philippines ask for terminal fees – and prices vary. Ugh!
7. Most of our airports don't comply with the international standards - floor area, runway length and technical facilities.
(stock photo)
Last night as I checked out some Philippine airports, I noticed how narrow and substandard our airport runways are. Two of these runways are those of Caticlan and Kalibo Airports, which are the gateways to the world-renowned paradise of Boracay. I hope the government and CAAP would do something about these ASAP. This is utterly shameful!
8. Most luggage scanners are useless. #epicfacepalm
(stock photo)
One time, in Iloilo Airport, I experienced one of the scariest things ever – it felt like I was heading inside a mall because security guards were checking passenger’s bags and luggages manually – as in with a stick and their hands! The reason – the guard said the scanner or x-ray machine is not working! Ugh!
9. Due to limited space, most waiting areas are SRO (Standing Room Only).
(from the web)
Will the real slim shady, please stand up? Please stand up? Hahaha!
10. Majority of flights are delayed.
(stock photo)
Don’t be angry, we all experienced it – but believe me when I say that it’ is still more fun in the Philippines, right?
(from the web)
Our airports have been a laughing stock for many years now. I've written this blog not to add more reasons for the world to laugh at us, but to call the attention of our government, CAAP and these private companies!
Public-Private partnership has done so many great things in the country, how come in the aeronautics industry, we can’t facilitate it well? It’s about time that these people work together instead of pointing fingers when there are issues and disasters.
Wake up, people! Our country is so beautiful, let's share it to the world with all mighty and glory!
Happy Rammmpa, everyone!
P.S. Some photos are not exactly airport photos and some are old photos from my travels, they are used to add visuals (and some pleasure) to this article.
Well, that Lumbia Airport in Cagayan de Oro (5. photo), it has a new airport which was opened two years ago. More modern, with 2 air bridges. That Lumbia Airport above is currently being used by the Philippine Air Force which means it is not open for commercial airlines. Sorry, but just giving my 2 cents.
ReplyDelete#4 is not an airport but Tagbilaran city Sea port...
ReplyDeleteI just want to comment a few things about your post.
ReplyDeleteFirstly, you take a bus before boarding a plane (terminal 3) simply because the parking bay of your aircraft is just too far from the terminal. It wouldn't be cool if you'd be walking the whole stretch of T3 just to board your plane, right.
Second, Caticlan and Kalibo airports may be small but rest assured that the runway length and width of both airports are still safe, base from the requirements of ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization). Although these airports can't handle widebody aircraft like the B747, B777, or A330 for that matter, they can still accommodate smaller aircraft. If these airports are deemed unsafe, why would CAAP, airliners, and air traffic controllers allow these planes to land on these aforementioned airports? What are your bases for citing these airports to be unsafe? Can you cite some articles to support your claims?
Lastly, flights are delayed due to congestion in Manila. Here's the link as to how and why these delays happen during peak season: http://www.thetravelingnomad.com/2013/05/of-ruined-vacations-cancelled-and.html
I definitely agree with most of your observations but even as a blogger, you should make sure your facts are accurate. Your #7 is completely False, there is a reason why mostly small planes fly going to Boracay and I also doubt that you were allowed to actually measure the whole area to compare and see if they are complying with regulations. Do you even know what are the standard measurements?
ReplyDeleteAlso, check your grammar, its hard to take seriously someone who is this flawed in the English language and I doubt that these were typo errors. Ex. "only one are a few are open" ; " most of the times" ; "if you have to fall a VERY LONG LINE"
Hi
ReplyDeleteFyi, For the num 3 that's common at any international airport.
let us wait for san mig corp
ReplyDeleteHi this was posted Feb 7. but #5 is an old pic of CDO Airport. We now have a world class airport. :)
ReplyDeleteRome
Ano nakakatawa dito? mas nakakatawa ka pa nga hindi mo alam sinasabi mo... Lol!...
ReplyDelete#5 is irrelevant , the old airport (lumbia) is already closed. Its current occupant is the Airforce.
ReplyDeleteLol, most of the comments are hating because its true. SMH!
ReplyDelete#3. Seriously? That happens in other "better" international airports as well. Travel more, I say to you.
ReplyDeleteCan personally vouch that the x-ray scanners were working at Iloilo International Feb16/15 when I flew on a Cebu Pacific flight (late an hour and fifteen minutes late!) to Manila. Rather liked that little airport in Iloilo. Reminded me of Victoria International on Vancouver Island.
ReplyDeleteThe check-in concourse at Terminal 1 at NAIA is a complete joke for the volume of international passengers passing through. One toilet and three urinal available for anywhere from 50 to 500+ male travelers. One carinderia serving Filipino "delicacies" such as potato chips, 3in1 coffee and LaPaz Batchoy instant noodle. The only thing missing was a bamboo walled corrugated steel roofed hut with a Smart "Load na Ditto" sign selling old coke bottles filled with gas to round out the experience. Yes the place is under renovations but comparing to two years ago when I was there it just looks like the exterior was given a facelift just in time for the Pope's visit. Nothing is happening with any great sense of urgency/speed. IMHO, terminal 1 is set up not for the international traveler but as a choke-point for the government to collect all the travel tax etc. from the OFWs.
The Pinoys and Pinays deserve a whole lot better than they have been served.No small wonder that ICAO is threatening to revoke the international accreditation at NAIA for not meeting international standards. Maybe when the capital city of Asia's fourth largest economy has no international airport that will get the "powers that be" off their arses!!!