EDITORIAL - More black eyes at NAIA

Not just one but two problems happened recently at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Last week the luggage handling system of the airport’s Terminal 3 broke down and hundreds of bags couldn’t be handed over to their owners. Many passengers had to go to their destinations without their checked-in bag.

Then three days ago damage to a pipe caused water service interruption in Terminal 1. Bathrooms, restaurants, and other facilities could not get water. Airport workers had to distribute water in buckets and other containers.

Imagine going on a trip or coming home from one without the bulk of your clothing and other necessary items. Or having to use a bathroom where you can’t flush or, worse, wash your hands after doing your business. Then going to a restaurant where you still can’t wash your hands before you eat. While these make good travel “horror” stories to tell others, it won’t do good for the reputation of the airport or the country.

It’s worth mentioning that these problems have already been addressed as of this writing, but the fact that they happened is still a poor reflection of the airport. And this isn’t just any airport but the supposed main gateway to the country.

The public, especially air passengers, are no longer surprised if some problems or issues happen at NAIA, whether these are failures of the aircraft tracking system, free-roaming vermin like rats, lounge chairs infested with bedbugs, or weak air-conditioning. They have just learned to accept the fact that it is one of the worst airports and the world and will be that way until things improve.

Speaking of improvement, we do hope that those in charge of improving NAIA will soon transform it into the airport we can be proud of. How good an experience visitors have in our country can still be tainted if they get a welcome or send-off that they will never forget --for the wrong reasons.