I’m no frequent traveller (but I plan to be one someday) and seeing how lovely the airports from our neighboring countries are makes me sad about our own airport. Sad that the Philippines was voted as one the 2011 Worst Airports by SleepingInAirports.net (we were ranked first). Well I wouldn’t blame those who voted, even I feel the need that NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) Terminal 1 go under a tedious over haul. If you’ve ever been to Singapore or Hong Kong, which were rated as the top two best airports for 2011, respectively by SleepingInAirports.net then you’d also wish for a better airport for our country.
The Philippines has so many potential in showcasing its beautiful tourist spots but if tourists see our airport and read the reviews from different travelers all over the world, I bet they’d think twice about traveling here. All the hassle of experiencing bribing a customs official or losing a phone while waiting for boarding can just be the worst case-scenario that most tourist dread to even think about.
Clearly cleanliness and security are two of the things that our airport needs to focus on. But aside from these issues, the overall look and feel of NAIA Terminal 1 really needs rehabilitation and renovation to make it more enticing for foreigners to visit our country.
The video of famous Filipino furniture designer Kenneth Cobonpue was shared a few times on Facebook and is clearly a call to help improve NAIA 1.
“Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal I Rehabilitation and Renovation A pro-bono proposal from Budji Layug, Royal Pineda and Kenneth Cobonpue in cooperation with the National Competitiveness Council of the Philippines. Its time someone did something about the worst airport in the world. So we made this design because we believe that no matter how beautiful our country is, our airports give the first and last impressions. This plan is relatively inexpensive and simple to adapt. The plan also involves renovating the interiors to allow faster flow of travelers between security, immigration and departure. The first step has been done. Lets hope our government moves on this proposal quickly.”
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I’d like to share with you all some photos from our past trips in Hong Kong and in Singapore, check out how clean and pretty their airports are.
A very long walkalator in Hong Kong International Airport
Indoor landscaping is just beautiful.
Comfortable lounge chairs where you need not to hurry just to get a seat.
A for effort on the decors.
While waiting for our shuttle to pick us up.
Singapore 2010
Gabbie and I at the Changi Airport, again A for effort on the Christmas sea-inspired decor.
A very helpful and organized directions so that you won't get lost.
Clean and orderly check-in counters.
I’ve noticed that in these airports other than decorating it fancily they also focused on the aesthetics through proper ventilation and flow of natural light. Glass panels almost on each side of the terminals give a different feel to both passengers and their loved ones who are waiting to pick them up or drop them off.
What I also liked in both airports is that they both have a few good number of check-in counters with visible signage that points you directly to what airline you’re flying with. Plus the fact that they open promptly and have more than just one check-in counter per flight making traveling more efficient.
Dear Philippine government, talented Filipino artists are whole heartedly offering their services in improving the gateway to our country’s tourism. Why aren’t you giving a damn about it?! Come on, it’s about time we do something with the world’s worst airport! Aren’t you at least bit of ashamed about the title NAIA is getting?!
Please, please oh please make this happen. If you want the Philippine’s tourism to bloom then this is the way to do it. Forget about the slogans first, focus on our airport!
That’s all!
P.S.
Go join my giveaway click here.
Sincerely,
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Everytime I travel and my terminal falls in NAIA 1, I don’t mind checking in close to my departure time because I wouldn’t be able to enjoy the airport anyway. For a frequent traveller like me, my heart breaks everytime I encounter nicer airports from our supposedly “ka-level na countries”. Vietnam has a better airport than PH (waaay better actually). We can forget about HK or SG, because these are developed countries. But WTF, malayong mas maganda ang airport ng Ho Chi Minh kesa NAIA 1?!?! :-/ Immigration lines at NAIA 1 are often worth an hour (sometimes even more), worse there are times they run out of Immigration Cards/Slips!!! 🙁 sad..sad..sad.. I absolutely agree with you, forget about the slogans focus on the airport first — our gateway to beautiful Philippine destinations. 🙂
Very well said Yayen! 🙂 The government should really do something about NAIA and fast!