Why does Ninoy Aquino Int'l Aiport - Terminal 1 (Manila) have only 18 airbridges or gates?

Question

I had been in manila airport before when NAIA Terminal II is not yet open. It is really odd airport because many people crowded inside but seen only 18 airbridges or gates. It would be not fit enough for international flights, it most likely to be difficult to find a place for arrival. Before that philippine airlines and cebu pacific were together with int'l flights are most difficult times.

Why do they not have put more airbridges or gates in terminal 1, should be expanded for addition airbridges or gates since 1980s?

Answer 1

When was the last time you been to Manila? No worries, Manila have a new terminal and it is big, i have no idea if that's for internationl flights but hopefully yes.

Answer 2

I know, Terminal 1 is really outdated... it really sucks because most international airlines (other than our own Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific) use that terminal; imagine the first impressions of tourists going to the Philippines! (Remember, the first thing foreign visitors see when they go to a new country is the airport.)

That is why I am so relieved that they've finally decided to open that controversial Terminal 3. I hope other international airlines transfer to that terminal.

Answer 3

You're right, they should renovate. However, this is not the case. Actually, the solution to the problem of overcrowding was to build new terminals, hence, Terminal 2 & Terminal 3. When Terminal 2 opened in 1998, it was dubbed "CENTENNIAL" because it coincided with the 100 Years Independence of our nation from Spain.

Anyway, Philippine Airlines got exclusive rights to operate Terminal 2. The other place, Terminal 3, was supposed to alleviate some of the "leftovers", as I would call it. What happened was over 6 years of legal wrangling regarding ownership of the building, poor construction, & lots of debts to be paid. WHO OWED WHO was the main sticking point.

Terminal 3 has just recently been opened for service. Currently, Cebu Pacific, Air Philippines, & PAL Express operates here. All of these airlines have moved their operations in Terminal 3.  The airport's still working out its kinks & bugs.

Currently, only domestic flights are being flown from this terminal, except for one internatinal flight. That one's reserved for the president. Eventually, foreign flights will begin operating either by Christmas or New Year.  Foreign Airlines have yet to move in. Don't know when will it be.

There's another airport called the Diosdado Macapagal Airport. It's quite far from Manila, in Clark, & only select airlines, mostly foreign, fly there.  However, it's said that the place is more capable of handling the excess passengers at NAIA. Since it's quite far from Manila & not much to see when you get there, it's unclear what role the airport will play in the future.  Million dollar investments have been reported to have been poured into the further expansion of the airport.

As for the old NAIA? Don't know really. The creation of new terminals was the recommendation back then. No word yet what will happen to the old NAIA 1 once NAIA 3 is fully operational.  

Answer 4

the terminal one follows an old design and is quite limited in accomodating additional aircraft and passengers.  the reason why terminal 2 and 3 were constructed.  

terminal one is supposed to look like an eagle when seen from the sky but unabated construction work had somehow done  injustice to its architecture.