COVID brings MIAA revenue loss of P1B as of end-April

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Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has recorded more than P1 billion loss in revenues as of end-April as almost all flights out of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have been suspended following travel restrictions to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

MIAA general manager Ed Monreal, in a recent interview during the #LagingHanda press briefing, said from an average of 768 flights per day prior to the imposition of travel restrictions due to COVID-19, flights have been reduced to a maximum of 10 flights a day.

But despite minimal commercial flights, Monreal noted that cargo flights, both international and domestic, were continuously operating. Sweeper flights for stranded foreign nationals are also accommodated.

Monreal declined to give projections on passenger and flight volume at NAIA once the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon is lifted, saying only that while he hopes operations would return to normal, “it’s wishful thinking sa ngayon po iyan dahil alam naman po natin na marami po tayong mga (now when we know there are many) restrictions.”

New normal at airport

In another development, MIAA said it is adopting guidelines issued by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for the “new normal” in all international and domestic airports in the country.

These guidelines aim to prevent the further spread of COVID-19 in the Philippines and are foreseen to be the “new way of life” for both passengers and airport staff once travel restrictions are lifted and NAIA resumes operations.

First in the guidelines is wearing of face mask when entering the airport facility.

MIAA said it has purchased a total of 2,675 boxes or 133,750 pieces of surgical face masks and has initiated purchase of 4,500 pieces of washable masks to ensure continuous protection of its workers.

MIAA service providers were also told to provide face masks for their employees and to ensure they get the kind of protection needed for the kind of work that they do following the recommendation of the Bureau of Quarantine (BoQ).

MIAA will also continue mandatory body temperature checks at all security checkpoints inside the airport building and vehicle checkpoints within the immediate vicinity of the four NAIA terminals. Security personnel manning these posts are equipped with 81 infrared thermometer guns.

Social distancing measures will be strictly observed at all queuing points inside and outside terminal buildings. When seating, a one-seat apart policy will be enforced.

To further enhance social distancing measures inside the airport, Monreal has directed the installation of acrylic barriers in all check-in counters and help desks in the four NAIA Terminals. As of press time, 57 check-in counters now have acrylic barriers in Terminal 1. MIAA is also working double time to complete installation in all the 330 check-in counters in the four terminals.

Yellow floor markings have also been ordered in all queuing points.

With the Office for Transportation Security taking the lead, security procedures will be done through a “no contact means” such as, but not limited to, the use of walk through x-ray machines, portable scanners, handheld metal detectors, and the like, effectively limiting pat down or manual frisking to exceptional instances or situations.

Only passengers with valid travel documents and confirmed bookings for the day will be allowed to enter the airport facility.

In relation to this, the policy limiting the entry of non-airport workers and non-passengers into NAIA will remain in effect.

Continuous disinfection of all NAIA facilities, especially those used for flight operations will be done. These include, among others, aerobridges, baggage conveyors, check-in counters, immigration, customs and other help desks. Disinfection activities are also done extensively on other airport facilities and equipment such as x-ray machines and trays, inspection tables, pushcarts, wheelchairs and other frequently touched surfaces.

All comfort rooms in terminal buildings, as well as in public areas, are continuously cleaned on a 24-hour basis with each comfort room having a steady supply of hand wash, hand sanitizers, toilet paper and paper towels.

MIAA noted that utilization of hand sanitizers has remarkably increased over the last three months. From five gallons a day before the COVID-19 outbreak, actual use to date has increased to 13 gallons a day.

To better serve passengers, MIAA has set standard features for all its comfort rooms where one will find specific cubicles for Persons with Disability (PWD) and diaper changing tables for passengers travelling with babies or toddlers. Hand dryers are also provided. An all gender toilet is also co-located in all restroom areas.

Foot baths will remain in all entry and exit points of passengers and airport personnel, including boarding bridges and/or similar areas for passenger embarkation/disembarkation to and from the aircraft.

Safety precaution posters and other health guidelines will be displayed at noticeable places in the NAIA terminals. Alert bulletins will also be made through the airport information boards and other display systems and through public announcements in MIAA’s official social media sites.

As required by BoQ, all passengers that are departing and arriving will be required to electronically fill-out Health Declaration Form and Passenger Locator Forms for straightforward contact tracing.