I have not been to NAIA Terminal 1 since before the pandemic. Last May, I had the opportunity to go there to fetch the wife who was arriving from US. That meant an opportunity to take photos of the arrival areas including the well-wishers area and concourse at the main terminal building.

Kiosks are open basically at all times the terminal is operational or open. These usually sell or serve snacks or light meals including sandwiches and pansit (noodles). While I was not able to check the prices, items were usually priced significantly higher than if you purchased them elsewhere in similar stores.

The well-wishers area is the same building with two levels. The ground level is open and the second level is air-conditioned.

A single level building hosting stores selling food and drinks stands between the waiting area and the open parking lot. 

Stairs lead to the second level of the building for those who are waiting for arriving passengers (e.g., fetchers including relatives and friends).

There used to be a Jollibee branch at the second level. I assume its closure was mainly due to the pandemic as it had a steady stream of customers before.

There were few people at the second level. Either it was still very early or that there were fewer sundo these days. The parking lot is full of cars so I guess people just chose to stay near or in their vehicles or at the first level of the building.

Another look at the kiosks behind the well-wishers area

The driveway is still chaotic with drivers not following security and security often turning a blind eye to drivers taking their sweet time at the driveway.

A foreign currency exchange stall at the arrival concourse

Here’s an example of a vehicle parked or standing along the concourse instead of at the designated slots marked along the middle of the driveway.

A view of the main Terminal 1 building from the waiting building. At the bottom of the photo is the arrival concourse along the driveway. At the top is the main driveway of T1, which is used by VIPs.

The other end of the second floor used to have a Kopi Rotti branch that became an ordinary . I guess it also became a casualty of the pandemic.

Arriving passengers may cross from the terminal building to the well-wishers area before proceeding to the parking area.

Crossing to the arrival concourse, here is the perspective of arriving passengers after descending from the terminal. There’s a duty free shop here for last minute purchases.

Another view of the concourse

It seems that little has changed at the arrival and waiting areas of NAIA Terminal 1. Everything appears to be back to pre-pandemic conditions. Security is very lax and there is no indication that the grand plans drawn up for the renovation of the terminal will push through in the near future.

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