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New self check-in portals and turnstiles at NAIA Terminals 2 and 3
With the holidays coming up, travelers using the NAIA terminals should also note that there are new self check-in portals at the airport. I noticed in two recent travels (one via Terminal 2 and another via Terminal 3) that people taking Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines were not using these. Ceb Pac passengers in particular crowded over their portals near their check-in counters at T3. Walang pumapansin nitong mga bagong terminals that could save you time when you check-in. Here are photos of the ones at Terminal 2:
The areas where these were installed weren’t crowded.
You can use these for Cebu Pacific, Air Asia or Philippine Airlines.
You can get your boarding passes and luggage tags here.
NAIA admin has also installed these new automated turnstiles prior to the final security check and the boarding gates at Terminal 2.
You just need to scan your boarding pass for the barrier to open. I haven’t used any of the LRT/MRT lines lately but this is basically the technology we’d like to have for the station turnstiles.
Here are the self-check portals at T3. Of course, they would have even greater utility if more airlines are included for self check-in.
Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) terminals already have these new features for quite some time. It’s good that NAIA is finally catching up in modernizing its facilities. For the turnstiles, that tech should have been installed at train stations and a variant should allow for a variety of means for payment of fares.
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Closed shops at NAIA Terminal 3
I’ve been seeing posts on social media about many shops being closed after San Miguel took over the NAIA terminals. Last February, on the way to Bicol via NAIA Terminal 3, I was able to see for myself just how many and what shops are no longer at the terminal. Here are photos of the area that used to be lined with shops on one side and restaurants on the other that leads to the terminal gates. What used to be a line of shops are now closed and now lined with seats instead.
There used to be some nice shops there including a chocolate shop, an Islands Souvenir shop and a Bath & Body Works shop. They are no longer there along with others where you could have gotten souvenirs or some travel needs or accessories. Did their contracts or leases end recently and higher rates led to their non-renewals and closure? Or does the airport operator have different plans for these stalls? I haven’t seen if the same happened to other shops at the terminal, particularly those at the third level. The absence or scarcity of shops is definitely an inconvenience to many travelers.
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A suddenly spacious NAIA Terminal 3 outdoor parking area
The news of NAIA being taken over by San Miguel Corporation initially drew many criticisms. I won’t talk about these here but somewhat many things have changed aside from the airline assignments among the three remaining terminals. I said three because Terminal 4, what used to be the Manila Domestic Terminal, was already demolished. Among the changes are the suddenly spacious parking areas at the terminals. Here are some photos we took en route to the multi level parking prior to a trip.
What used to be islands separating the Terminal 3 building from driveways and the open parking lot is no more.
The area is suddenly very spacious allowing for more parking slots as well as a wide driveway for vehicles.
The buses also benefitted from the space as they can line up at the terminal stop without blocking other vehicles.
The section leading to the multi-level parking building is not as congested. Most intending to park there including those leaving there vehicles for a few days enter via the upper level driveway. Rideshare vehicles generally use the ground level entrance.
The graded open area that was just usually dirt or mud is now being paved. Perhaps this will provide additional parking spaces considering a significant part of the multi-level parking building has been committed to ride share and taxis.
This used to be the area that was burned along with so many cars last year. Gone are the abandoned vehicles and perhaps these will all be paved. But was it necessary to just pave everything rather than have something porous and less heat generator than pavement? It would have been better to go for a multi-level facility and at the same time do some landscaping to have more trees and plants in this area.
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Self check-in and self bag-drop at NAIA Terminal 3
In addition to the self check-in terminals, Cebu Pacific now has self bag drop booths at NAIA Terminal 3. These are easy to use and may lead to quicker processing of passengers. They have staff ready to assist in case passengers encounter some difficulty using the self bag drop terminals.
We’ll probably see these terminals in other airports particularly the major ones like Cebu, Davao and Clark. It is a convenience and also reduces the need for staff manning the check-in counters.
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NAIA terminal designations for airlines – reshuffle
Airport authorities in Manila announced that airline designations at NAIA’s four terminals would be reshuffled. I took this photo of the announcement on a tarp at the corner of NAIA Road and Ninoy Aquino Avenue as we left NAIA Terminal 1.
While there seems to be no major concern for the international airlines mentioned in the tarp, there will be a major inconvenience for Philippine Airlines passengers. For most its flights including international ones, transfers were easier and more convenient since international and domestic flights shared the same Terminal 2. There was no need to travel from or to another terminal unless the transfer involved another airline. From June 16, 2023, all its international flights will be via Terminal 1 so there will be a need to transit between T1 and T2 for connecting flights. Cebu Pacific will still enjoy this convenience for most of its flights as international and most domestic flights are via Terminal 3.
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Covid test kits at the airport
Despite the relaxed stance on COVID-19, the virus is still very much around and evolving or mutating. While airports in the Philippines are lax about the wearing of masks, airlines require masks for passengers on flights. I’m not sure how effective as a preventive measure this is since most people at airports don’t wear masks and there is nothing that will allow for contact tracing anymore.
Meanwhile, COVID-19 test kits vending machines are now common at airports. I guess aside from being a reminder of the pandemic, it is also a convenience for people who want to check, quickly though not so accurately, if they are positive for the virus.
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Signs of the times? A COVID-19 test vending machine at the airport
I just wanted to share this photo that I took of a vending machine dispensing COVID-19 antigen self-test kits at NAIA Terminal 3. I took this photo as we exited the baggage claim area and headed for the multi-level parking of the terminal.
There are many vending machines at airports including the most typical ones for drinks and food. Some dispense souvenirs and even electronics. This was the first time I encountered this type of machine. I didn’t see one while in Changi or in NAIA Terminal 2, and even in Panglao, Mactan, Zamboanga or Laguindingan airports where I have been recently. Perhaps there are machines like this there or in there airports but I just didn’t see them. I guess these are here to stay considering COVID-19 is not yet completely out of the picture so to speak.
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What are closed and what are open at NAIA Terminal 3 – international wing
I was able to take a few photos around the pre-departure area of NAIA Terminal 3 before our flight got cancelled. The shops, restaurants and cafes are mostly open including the Duty Free Philippines shop, Bo’s Coffee, and a variety of souvenir shops and eateries in the area. In fact, you can see from the couple of photos I am sharing that practically the whole length of the international wing has a shop or restaurant/eatery on one side. The other side would be the boarding gates and seats for departing passengers.
The travel certainly won’t have an excuse for getting hungry as I guess there will be something for everyone whether you want a drink, a snack, a light meal or a heavy one. The souvenir shops are also a mix of the usual items like delicacies, local crafts, shirts, keychains, ref magnets and the like. If you want something more fancy for souvenirs, there is a Narda’s store here. There are a couple of WHSmith stores for those looking for something to read or even some quick souvenir shopping.
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What are closed and what are open – NAIA Terminal 3 arrival
I previously wrote about what shops and restaurants were open or closed at NAIA Terminal 3. This time, I am sharing photos of the arrival level of T3.
Exiting the baggage claim area, we come upon what looks like the same scenes at the arrival level before the pandemic – lots of people walking around, shops and banks/money changers open for business.
The crowd density was not really the same as pre-pandemic levels but perhaps this was also because we arrived during a relatively off-peak period in airport operations. There were no international flights that arrived at about the same time we landed. Otherwise, there will be a lot of well-wishers or people fetching (“sundo”) arriving passengers.
The exchange rate when we arrived hovered just above 56 pesos : 1 USD.
Most people are wearing masks, which is a good thing considering we are not yet over with the Covid-19 pandemic. I can only imagine how it was when the airports were just reopening and people were also required to wear face shields. And only those who were really traveling were allowed in the terminal.
Most shops and restaurants at the arrival level were open and many people who were mostly waiting for arriving passengers were there to have a meal or snacks.
Walking towards the covered parking areas of Terminal 3, we see familiar fast-food Jollibee and Chowking with their typical patrons/customers.
Still closed is the large Duty Free Philippines shop at the arrival level of T3.
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What’re closed and what’re open – shops and restaurants at NAIA Terminal 3
I promised to post more photos about NAIA Terminal 3 yesterday. Prior to entering the pre-departure area, we decided to have our breakfast at the 3rd level of the terminal where most of the stores and restaurants are located. Prior to the pandemic, we ate at the area shared by Chowking, Tapa King and Army Navy Burgers. We also wanted to see which stores and restaurants were open as most of us were traveling via Terminal 3 for the first time since February 2020 (almost 2.5 years ago). Here are photos taken yesterday at the 3rd level. The scenes remind me of how friends described Haneda, Narita and Hong Kong, which also have a lot of shops, stores and restaurants still closed.
The Victoria’s Secret shop is open. So is the Bath & Body Works store across from it.
Some of the
Many of the small stores have closed. One wonders if these will eventually reopen or they will just be replaced by other stores once things get back to ‘normal’.
These used to be stores selling sports and outdoor wear including an Adidas store and a swimwear shop
What used to be a WHSmith convenience store is now boarded up. I assume there are still some items inside unlike the other closed stores where only the shelves remain.
McDonald’s is open and attracts a lot of people looking for that familiar meal.
Some stores selling chocolates and donuts are open. I saw that there are two other Krispy Kreme stores at the pre-departure area of the terminal. One is just after the final security check and the other is at the ground level near Gates 132 and 133.
Max’s is closed. Hopefully, it will reopen once the demand returns.
Chowking and Tapa King are closed. That means your options for no frills, inexpensive meals (particularly all-day breakfasts) are limited at the terminal.
Chinese restaurant Mongkok is also closed.
Army Navy is also closed at this area. They are open at the ground floor pre-departure area.
Even the kiosks are closed.
Ka Tunying’s Cafe, which was also a popular breakfast place, is closed.
Ramen Nagi is open.
What remains open is Mary Grace where you can get really good meals. However, if you’re on a budget, look elsewhere for food. Breakfast here can set you back 500+ pesos, which can cover the meals of 3 people elsewhere.
Kenny Roger’s Roasters is open along with the Jollibee at the same level.
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (CBTL) cafe is open as well as the Wendy’s beside it.
I have yet to see which stores and restaurants at the ground floor (arrival area) are still or already open. I hope I can take some photos when we return later this week.
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Caught (up) in traffic 