All remaining flights at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will operate out of Terminal 1 as more and more air carriers suspend operations due to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, according to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
Beginning 12:01 a.m. of March 28, 2020, the following airlines will be operating to and from NAIA Terminal 1: Gulf Air, Korean Airlines, Asiana Airlines, China Airlines, Hong Kong Air, Eva Air, Japan Airlines, Jeju Air, All Nippon Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Royal Brunei.
Oman Air will cease operations beginning March 26 while Singapore Airlines and Royal Brunei have announced suspension of flights to and from NAIA beginning March 29, 2020.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) recently announced suspension of international flight operations starting March 26. PAL made its last flight out on March 25 while return flights will be on March 27, 2020.
MIAA general manager Ed Monreal said the streamlining of flights into one terminal was consulted with the Airline Operators Council (AOC) and following the instructions of Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade to explore ways to minimize exposure of airport workers while ensuring continuous operations in NAIA.
A Notice to Airmen has been issued informing pilots around the world that only NAIA Terminal 1 remains in operation for the duration of the ECQ.
As of March 26, the following local and foreign airlines have ceased international flight operations: Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Air Asia, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, Qantas Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates Airlines, KLM, Air China, Air New Guinea, China Eastern, China Southern, Ethiopian Airlines, Jet Star Asia, Kuwait Airlines, Malaysian Airlines, Saudia Airlines, Royal Brunei Airlines, Thai Airways, Tiger Airways, and Xiamen Airlines.
It may be recalled that MIAA earlier closed NAIA Terminal 4, Terminal 2 domestic wing, and Terminal 3 domestic, after a ban on domestic air travel was issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).
To date, landings and take-offs have dramatically dropped from the usual 768 flight movements per day to 50 movements as air carriers began suspending operations after foreign governments enacted closing down of their borders to curb the spread of COVID-19.
MIAA said the streamlining of flights supports government in its efforts because less personnel will have to report for work and will be confined to their homes, thereby reducing possible exposure to the virus; reduce cost on utilities by closing down the other NAIA terminals; and afford groundhandling companies with a cheaper way of managing their logistics.
MIAA said it will continue servicing sweeper flights and has designated NAIA Terminal 2 for the purpose. Sweeper flights and repatriation flights to help foreign nationals return to their home countries are jointly undertaken by the Department of Tourism and the Department of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the embassies.
On the other hand, government repatriation efforts to bring home overseas Filipino workers still continues.
Photo courtesy of MIAA
