Senator Idol Raffy Tulfo raised concern after receiving complaints about long passenger lines and persistent malfunctioning of electronic gates at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), causing some travelers to miss their flights.
Tulfo found out that airport e-gates scanners for arriving passengers often fail to read passports and boarding passes so passengers will be forced to queue for manual processing instead, which doubles the time spent at the counters.
Due to these delays, some passengers are unable to catch their connecting flight.
Commotion also builds up at the airport since passengers who are weary from their overseas journey start to get mad or argue with others in the queue.
The legislator noted that the experience is similar for departing passengers who were not able to board their international flights due to prolonged immigration screenings.
Adding to their burden are a number of non-operational escalators, walkalators, carousels, and tubes.
The lawmaker lamented that “passengers are the ones carrying the burden of the inconvenience, as they had to spend extra money to re-book their tickets and stay extra hours at the airport’s lobby, even when they are not the ones at fault”.
“I urge airport authorities to post signages at the Arrival and Departure areas of the airport terminals, informing passengers of their rights in cases of missed flights.”
As such, the senator urged airport authorities to post signages at the Arrival and Departure areas of the airport terminals, informing passengers of their rights in cases of missed flights due to immigration lines and other boarding problems.
“The Department of Transportation should set up airport information booth to guide all passengers needing assistance with their flights and travel concerns.”
Additionally, he stressed that the Department of Transportation should set up airport information booth manned by their personnel to guide all passengers needing assistance with their flights and travel concerns.
Tulfo, being the Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, already filed Senate Resolution No. 1069 to investigate the issues hounding the country’s gateways.
