MIAA Streamlines Operations; Concentrates Operations to NAIA Terminal 1

As Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic sweeps across continents, more and more air carriers are suspending operations. Earlier today, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said that it is streamlining their operations and will just be concentrating flights in just one terminal.

Effective 0001H (12:01 AM) of 28 March 2020, the following airlines will be operating to and from the NAIA Terminal 1:

1. All Nippon Airways (ANA)
2. Asiana Airlines
3. Cathay Pacific
4. China Airlines
5. EVA Air
6. Gulf Air
7. Hong Kong Air
8. Japan Airlines
9. Korean Airlines
10. Qatar Airways
11. Royal Brunei
12. Singapore Airlines

Here are some operational updates on other airlines operating to and from Manila:

• Oman Air will cease operations beginning 26 March 2020.
• Jeju Air will cease operations beginning 27 March 2020.
• Singapore Airlines and Royal Brunei will cease operations beginning 29 March 2020.

MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal made this announcement after due consultation with the Airline Operators Council (AOC) and following the instructions from DOTr Secretary Arthur Tugade to explore ways to minimize exposure of airport workers while ensuring continuous operations in NAIA.

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has also announced the suspension of international flight operations starting 26 March 2020. PAL’s last flight out was yesterday (March 25th) with their MNL-SFO (PR104) and MNL-LAX (PR102). Return flights of these two will be on Friday, 27 March 2020 at the NAIA Terminal 1. After these flight arrivals, PAL will cease to operate for the time being.

As of tonight, the following airlines (local and foreign) have ceased international flight operations:

1. Air China
2. Air Asia
3. Air New Guinea
4. Cebu Pacific
5. China Eastern
6. China Southern
7. Delta Airlines
8. Emirates Airlines
9. Ethiopian Airlines
10. Jet Star Asia
11. KLM Royal Dutch
12. Kuwait Airlines
13. Malaysian Airlines
14. Philippine Airlines (PAL)
15. Qantas Airways
16. Royal Brunei Airlines
17. Saudia Airlines (Saudia)
18. Thai Airways
19. Tiger Airways
20. Turkish Airlines
21. United Airlines
22. Xiamen Airlines

The MIAA has earlier closed NAIA Terminal 2 Domestic Wing, NAIA Terminal 3 Domestic, and NAIAT Terminal 4 after a ban on domestic air travel was issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

As of today, landing and take-off have dramatically dropped from the usual 768 flight movements per day to 50 movements as air carriers began suspending their operations after foreign governments enacted closing down of their borders to curb the spread of the dreaded coronavirus.

The MIAA’s move to streamline airport operations is a three-pronged approach to:

1. Support the government in its Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) efforts because less personnel will have to report for work and will be confined to their homes thereby reducing exposure to the virus;
2. Reduce cost on utilities by closing down NAIA T2, T3, and T4; and
3. Afford ground handling companies with a cheaper way of managing their logistics.

A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) has also been issued informing pilots around the world that only NAIA Terminal 1 remains in operation for the duration of the ECQ.

The MIAA vowed to 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 OFWs continue to this day.