World’s worst airport

NAIA Terminal 1
World's Worst Airport

I’m surprised that the Filipino media just found out how bad NAIA is. Isn’t it ironic for an irresponsible Philippine media who thrived in sensationalism and tabloid type of reporting? If you’re an OFW or you travel frequently, you don’t need CNN’s report to know that NAIA is the worst airport in the world. I’ve blogged about how bad NAIA was before and even ranted several times. I also don’t think that a president who’s averse to micro managing should inspect the facilities of NAIA (Terminal 1) just to prove that it’s indeed the worst airport in the world. Well, maybe he was there for photo ops.

As an ordinary citizen of our God forsaken country, I can’t seem to grasp why MIAA did not upgrade NAIA’s facilities. Where did the travel taxes and the terminal fees that they are collecting from travelers go? It’s the only international airport that uses tabo because it doesn’t a have running water. The toilets are also stinking. In fairness to MIAA, when I went home last August, they refurbished the interiors, changed the carpets but did not do anything with the toilets.

Airports are supposed to be the windows and doors to the outside world. It should leave a good impression when a tourist arrives or leaves the country. It’s not the case in the Philippines. We come and go but it’s still the same. If you’re away for over a decade, you won’t even see the difference. Most of the travelers, especially the OFWs don’t really mind the bad infrastructures of the airport. They’re more interested in seeing their loved once than mind the dilapidated NAIA. NAIA is not also the safest place to be. There are several incidence of robbery few steps away from the airport.

I think that it’s about time to rename NAIA back to Manila International Airport. Ninoy was never a hero, he was a dissident and a friend to the reds, like his son Abnoy. Rebranding or renaming the facility will truly help in changing the image of the airport.