Ninoy Aquino International Airport - Terminal 3

UNCLAS MANILA 001949 STATE FOR EAP/MTS AND EB/TRA FAA FOR TOKYO SINGAPORE AND TOKYO FOR FAA COMMERCE FOR BERLINGUETTE SENSITIVE, SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAIR ECON EINV ETRD RP SUBJECT: Ninoy Aquino International Airport - Terminal 3 REF: 07 Manila 929 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA T3) began handling flights on July 22, 2008, six years of legal battles after its construction was completed. Some aspects of the new terminal are still not functioning properly, causing problems that have delayed and stranded passengers of the three domestic airlines that have begun using it. Of greater concern, some security procedures for screening baggage and tarmac access are not in place, which may create security vulnerabilities and obstacles for U.S. airlines hoping to use the new terminal. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) Manila's much needed new international terminal "T3" was completed in 2002 but was unable to open due to still unresolved legal battles over the ownership and financing. Earlier this year, Philippine President Arroyo directly intervened in the case to ensure that some use could be made of the new structure. Philippines Airlines (PAL) affiliates, PAL Express and Air Philippines, and Cebu Pacific Air moved their domestic operations to T3 in late July. On August 1, Cebu Pacific Air also moved its Manila-based regional operations to T3. ¶3. (SBU) The first few weeks of operation at T3 have revealed a number of glitches that need to be resolved. These problems are due in part to the fact that the building has sat unused and un-powered for over six years, and caused in part by the absence of an official turnover by the contractor and the subsequent lack of certain key software and operations manuals. For example, none of the flight display monitors has been working; communications links between the ticket counters and the gates do not work; only two of the 28 sky-bridges are operational; and the automated baggage handling system is essentially non-operational. ¶4. (SBU) The airlines using the terminal have been doing their best to work around the glitches, and are making progress in reducing the delays and confusion. However, Embassy Transportation Security Agency (TSA) agents and U.S. airline executives have noted several serious security deficiencies that could prevent U.S. airlines from using T3. Some of these deficiencies could be corrected with simple fixes such as locking doors and posting notices. However, other deficiencies, such as the lack of operational explosive detection systems in the baggage handling area and the lack of explosive trace detection systems will be more difficult to correct. Most U.S. airlines have security guidelines that go beyond what the TSA requires. ¶5. (SBU) T3 was designed and built to international security standards. The most serious security problems stem from the lack of software and operations manuals for the installed security systems. Gradually, the three airlines currently using T3 are learning how to make it work. However, U.S. and other airlines that adhere to stricter security standards see obstacles to their using the new terminal and are now concerned that Philippine airlines may fill up all the available space in T3 leaving them stuck in the older, decrepit Terminal 1. KENNEY