The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 has completed the latest phase of its electrical system upgrades, announced the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Tuesday. This major enhancement began in early April and wrapped up successfully on May 28.
NAIA Terminal 3 Enhances Power Reliability
MIAA embarked on this crucial project last year, aiming to replace outdated medium-voltage switchgear components in eight electrical substations within Terminal 3.
The effort concluded with an intensive maintenance segment that started at 12:01 a.m. and finished by 3 a.m. on Tuesday.
The Global Filipino Magazine shared that during the updates, Terminal 3 was kept operational with generator sets that ensured all critical equipment and facilities continued running smoothly, preventing any disruptions in passenger processing and flight operations.
Eric Jose Ines, the general manager of MIAA, expressed his satisfaction with the project's conclusion. He highlighted the benefits of the upgrades, noting they provide a more reliable electrical supply to NAIA Terminal 3.
Despite the improvements, Ines acknowledged minor ongoing issues, such as reduced lighting in some areas like curbsides, hallways, and roadways. He apologized for any inconvenience caused and appreciated the public's patience throughout the upgrade period.
The completion of this phase marks a significant milestone in enhancing the operational efficiency and safety of NAIA Terminal 3. With these upgrades, the airport authority ensures that Terminal 3 will continue to serve passengers and airlines with improved reliability and security.
The MIAA remains committed to further improving the infrastructure and facilities to maintain the high standards expected by international travelers.
Partially Restores Cooling
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has successfully repaired four out of six malfunctioning cooling towers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3, as reported by Christian Maño on Super Radyo dzBB. The repairs come after a sudden outage on Saturday night caused by an electricity overload.
MIAA's engineering team continues to work on the remaining two cooling towers to fully restore the air conditioning system. To mitigate the heat, the airport has deployed evaporative fans in critical areas and provided bottled water to passengers, according to GMA News.
The disruption led to uncomfortable conditions over the weekend, with passengers resorting to using personal fans to stay cool. Mav Gonzales of 24 Oras Weekend noted that the heat was particularly challenging for seniors due to a shortage of seating.
By early Sunday around 1 a.m., two of the cooling towers were fixed and began operating again, albeit with below-normal cooling capacity.
Chris Noel Bendijp, a spokesperson for MIAA, explained in an interview with Super Radyo dzBB that while one tower was activated, the terminal temperatures remained higher than usual.
Bendijp also revealed that all six cooling towers are slated for replacement by the end of May as part of an ongoing project, aiming to enhance the terminal's facilities.
MIAA has apologized for the inconvenience and has requested patience from passengers and stakeholders as efforts continue to return NAIA Terminal 3 to full operational status.