NAIA Ranked World’s Worst Airport

When in Manila, it’s inevitable that we go through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1 when travelling. Unfortunately though, NAIA has “”fallen into disrepute and is now ranked the world’s worst airport due to poor facilities, bribery and security concerns…”

 

According to David Dizon’s “From 5th worst, NAIA-1 now world’s worst airport” article…

 

The website Sleeping in Airports (https://www.sleepinginairports.net) said NAIA Terminal 1, which was ranked the 5th worst airport in the world and the worst in Asia last year, is in bad shape compared to the much newer NAIA Terminal 3. It noted that a portion of the ceiling of the NAIA Terminal 1 caved in last May.

 

Pieces of debris from collapsed ceiling (Picture courtesy of PhilStar.com)

 

“Bribery and theft exists. Airport taxes are collected, but the money does not seem to go towards the betterment of the airport. Document holders have been told their papers are not correct, but a fee of x amount should clear up the matter,” the website noted.

 

The website said airport officials promised to clean up NAIA-1 toilets and provide running water and soap after a spot of bad press. It said the terminals are lacking services such as left luggage and pay-in lounges for transit passengers.

 

“Forget about sleeping in this airport! You will not want to even close your eyes here!” the website noted.

 

However, it said a big plus for the 30-year-old terminal is the free WiFi in the “passenger movement” areas.

 

Based on poll votes, user reviews

 

The website said it ranks the world’s least favorite airports based on poll votes and user reviews for reasons such as safety concerns, lack of comfortable seating, rude staff, hostile security, poor facilities, few services to pass the time, bribery and being kicked out or other hassles of being in the airport.

 

Not-so-pleasant experiences

 

Several reviews on the website gave their not-so-pleasant experiences in the Philippines’ first international airport.

 

User Monette said she lost her cellphone between the drop-off at the entrance and the security check after someone slashed the side pocket of her handbag with a sharp knife.

 

“I mentioned it to the PNP officer and he referred me to an airport policeman. This guy had the guts to suggest that I go to the lost and found office and check if they found it. Long story short, he didn’t even get my name and address to file a report and was just saying: ma’am there are many thieves in this airport. Just look after your belongings!” the review said…

 

Long line at Immigration (Photo taken from Chuvaness)

 

Airline signage is made out of tarp (Photo taken from Chuvaness)

 

Influential blogger Chuvaness has had her share of rants regarding NAIA and even remarked that the government better wake up and do something about the atrocity it has become as to avoid bad international press. Oh well, I guess it’s too late for that now. It sucks that something drastic always has to happen before the government takes action. I don’t get why we have to wait for a tarnished reputation as opposed to taking the initiative to do something to better the situation so that if we were to get any press, it’d be positive as opposed to negative. Can we please stop learning the hard and embarrassing way? Yeah, thanks. 

 

 

 

NAIA Ranked World’s Worst Airport