Baggage delays hit NAIA travelers

MANILA, Philippines — The Ninoy Aquino International Airport has suffered its first major setback since the NAIA was turned over to a private operator as travelers reported reaching their destinations without their check-in luggage.

The baggage handling system at the NAIA Terminal 3 malfunctioned on Oct. 18, affecting the processing of passengers’ luggage, the New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC) confirmed yesterday.

The NAIA Terminal 3 handles the biggest number of passengers, particularly those of Cebu Pacific’s.

The NNIC, which took over the management of the country’s main gateway in September, vowed to prioritize the replacement of the baggage handling system at the airport, saying it has purchased new equipment scheduled to arrive next year.

The company lamented that the existing baggage handling system at the NAIA was never upgraded in the past two decades.

Apart from replacing the baggaged handling system, additional measures would be put in place to avert future disruptions and improve passenger experience, NNIC president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang said.

Ang said travelers can expect the baggage handling problems to start improving.

The NNIC hired additional personnel to speed up the processing of check-in luggage, pending the repair of the malfunctioned system.

“Starting (today), it will improve because we hired extra people to do it manually,” Ang said in a text message to The STAR.

Cebu Pacific, the largest domestic carrier by fleet and passenger size, has established a team to manage the baggage checked in by its clients.

As of 1:15 p.m. yesterday, Cebu Pacific had recorded 821 check-in bags left behind at the airport as a result of the breakdown.

The airline is giving the affected passengers an option to have their luggage delivered to their destination or picked up at the airport.

Cebu Pacific said it is working with the NNIC in resolving the problem to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.

“Our teams are doing everything to fast-track baggage deliveries and ensure that all affected passengers are assisted promptly,” Cebu Pacific said. “We understand the inconvenience this has caused and appreciate our passengers’ patience and understanding.”

Photos on social media showed the mounting volume of suitcases stuck at the NAIA Terminal 3.

The malfunction occurred as the airport prepares for a spike in air travel during the Undas break. — Rudy Santos