Not fun at the Airport yah?

I remember my first time to use NAIA 1 2 years ago. I usually use PAL back then so wasn't able to use NAIA 1 way way back. Reports are true about the staff. Many are rude and some solicit some bribes. And how can you say that it is more fun here, when you cannot see someone smiling at the airport unless you give them something. hahaha... And it was my first time to wait for a plane at the gate where we have to seat on the floor because every seat was taken already.

I just heard from the news early this morning that NAIA 1 is the second worst airports in the world. I'm not exactly sure who conducted this survey but I wasn't surprise to hear it. I've only used this terminal on a few occasions when my family travels outside the country. I'm used to using NAIA II and only a few times at NAIA 3. But NAIA 1 definitely pales in comparison with the them. And to think that this two newer airports of us are not yet that great compared to the airports of other countries. This Swiss tourist was right. It's a No Fun Zone. Maybe they should dress MIAA officials in clown suits and make them dance :)

The last time NAIA was deemed world class was during the Marcos era and that was in the 70's up to the early 80's. You can see this evident in the architectural style of the place, meaning that it has not been changed since then. I recently visited our Duty Free shop there and was aghast that the prices of the goods are higher than if you pay for them at malls. I kept silent when my friend bought Havaianas at P200 more than what I could pay for them in a mall. As for the corruption, I really don't know where to start. Having two brothers and various relative who come home from abroad, they all have their share of horror stories with corrupt officials. I recall one time my brother refused to pay "tax" for an LCD TV he brought home. The "tax" was P15,000 ($300) but could be "arranged" if he wanted to. My brother refused saying why should he pay for tax when the TV has been used for three years. This went on for a few minutes and my brother, tired from the long trip just asked for a hammer or something hard so that he could just smash the TV. He was able to bring home the TV minus the tax. My other brother who only had his clothes was accosted the same way in our airport. Since he is already an American citizen he was asked to declare how much the things he was carrying was worth so that they could "tax" it. My brother declared $5 . When asked why, he said all the clothes are used and that was already high because at thrift shops in the US it would be less than that. Then, the immigration officer who does not have an iota of shame in him asked my brother for a few dollar for "snacks". So, it really is more fun in the Philippines as long as you stay away from our airports.

Hi there. Since the development projects and renovation for the NAIA terminal 1 has already started (I heard on the news at TFC), we can only wish that this will bring major improvements in all aspects of the airport's service, system, discipline. I, personally, is hoping and praying for the best, so that we can improve our tourism industry as well as the economy in general.

They should hire new staff. Seriously, everytime my aunt visits, she always complain about the airport this and that. And one time she had to give like $10 to the guy at the checkpoint just to not get (I would rather say steal) the toys she bought for us. I hate that Airport because there are a lot of thieves...

I did not been to Philippine Airports before but I have heard my friend talk about how bad the situation there. I think the government should take action to improve your airport if they want to improve their reputation. Corruption and bribery is something cannot be avoid where there are no a stand alone party to control the country. No enforce to take action or charge those who take or give bribery. Just like here, even the ministry have caught in taking bribery.

I watch TV shows here in the UK about the workings of Airlines and Airports,showing what goes on with people having issues about lost luggage,missed flights,wrong documentation and other travel problems..It looks stressful both for travellers and the Customer service staff..I would not like to be having to deal on top of the "Regular" problems with these conditions you describe with facilities unable to cope and open bribery on top!

Airports become the first impression for visiting tourists of the country they have landed. To get the best impression of the country to outsiders, the government should make their airports a five star standard with uncorrupted officers manning the counters to welcome visitors to their country. I remembered my brother who visited the Philippines and was harassed by the immigration officials at your airport. He innocently wrote the amount of money he brought in which he didn't realized was illegal to bring in more than the permitted amount. The officers called him to a room in the airport and asked him to show all his money which he obliged. They took $500 under table money before releasing him. On our last trip to your country last year my brother came along with us but warned us not to bring so much of cash to avoid being detained at the airport.

hi letran I doubt if dancing clowns in the waiting area would help everyone but it could garner a few laughs from some people Sad that the services suck and thats there is corruption and. I bribery there too. I can imagine that something really does needs to be done to improve the service and make it more pleasant for passengers going, coming, and waiting. hope someone can tackle all] those problems and make some real differences.

hello LK, I agree, a dancing clown and maybe ladies in bikinis dancing the hola will make it more fun while waiting at NAIA

The admin should do something to overcome the problem. I am sure with that number of passengers they must have enough money to improve everything there. They can hire for more staff and improve the facilities as well. I never been there but I can imagine the crowds and so on. I doubt what they did with the money they get from it?

If that is the case happening in NAIA then the government should make major renovations in order to facilitate more the people who come and go to NAIA. They should consider making big changes because NAIA is the first thing that the passengers foreign and local will take after landing. Thus, we need immediate action from the government.

NAIA is still considered one of the worst airports in the world, if not the first, the second. Have you ever experienced the services at the NAIA? How they cannot seem to control the crowd? Even the area which is off limits to the crowd of well wishers is terribly crowded with long lines of passengers waiting for their turn for inspection of baggage and whatever. How can we ever succeed in our efforts at encouraging tourists when there are no improvements being made at the airport? A few years have passed since we earned the title of having the worst airport in the world but still nobody ever gave notice to improve the system. There isn't any fun at the NAIA.