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NAIA 3 ready for take-off as world-class airport
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: Lynda B. Valencia
Date: 2002-11-04
 
Appearing like the Philippine eagle poised for flight, the ultra-modern and deluxe Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 is now ready for take-off on Dec. 15 as the world’s newest international air terminal.







Granite floors, overhead lights of the brand new NAIA 3 reflected, baggage conveyor moved and airline ticketing counters lit up as the terminal came to life during the walk-through inspection recently.





The dry run was witnessed by government officials headed by DoTC Undersecretary Agustin Bengzon; Bureau of Immigration and Deportation Commissioner Andrea Domingo; NAIA 3 general manager Col. Guillermo Cunanan; MIAA project manager Emer Bonoan; Clarissa Coscoluela, chief of staff and representative of Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon; and Director Jesus Versoza of the Aviation Security Group.





Also present were Toshio Hori, manager of Takenaka Corp.; Daisuke Fukamachi, Takenaka project manager; Victor Cheng Yong and Jeffrey Chen, chairman and president, respectively, of Philippine International Air Terminal Corp. (PIATCO); John Appleton, PIATCO contractor.





Hori pointed out that it took his company 832 days to finish the project, out of the allowed 882 days, adding, “There would be 10 additional days to inspect for possible defects.”





He said his company, that also constructed nine airports in Asia, finished NAIA 3 “in a very short time compared with other airports, such as those it built in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Sri Lanka, Abu Dhabi and Bangkok.”





Takenaka Corp. has been in existence for the last 400 years, making it the oldest construction company in the world and belonging to the top 10 contractors the world over.





On the other hand, Fukamachi expressed confidence that the dry run and walk-through inspection of the terminal facilities would enable the government to issue a completion certification as a requisite to the full operations of the terminal.





Cunanan said the Air Transportation Office (ATO) has yet to inspect the facilities but he is optimistic that the NAIA 3 will pass the evaluation with flying colors since the equipment and facilities are operating normally.





When Cunanan was asked about the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) if they have talked with the aviation authorities in the Philippines for their inspection, Cunanan said, “We have not yet received any information on when they will inspect the facilities.”





At the same time, Yong said the new airport terminal will prove to the world that the Filipino is capable of constructing modern and complex structures that are equal to the best in the world.





“NAIA 3 showcases the ingenuity and craftsmanship of Filipino engineers and architects with valuable insights from German, American, British designers and technical experts. It is an edifice that we can truly be proud of,” Yong said.





PIATCO officials also pointed out that the government stood to earn R710 million in guaranteed payments annually once the new airport starts operating.





During the construction period, the government already received R300 million in payments yearly. This totals to R17.7 billion for 27 years.





Under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) contract, PIATCO will turn over to the government the entire facility after 25 years of operations for a token payment of R1.00.





In addition to the guaranteed annual payments, government will receive from five to 10 percent of the airport’s gross revenue.





PIATCO is also obligated to deliver to the government 36 percent of all terminal fee collections from outbound passengers. Filipino overseas workers and Muslim pilgrims will be exempted from the terminal fee.





Unlike NAIA 1 and 2, families and friends welcoming or sending-off relatives and friends will have access to the terminal building itself, where they will be able to relax in lobbies and coffee shops, shop in retail stores or have send-off parties in restaurants.





The installation of state-of-the-art security equipments will guarantee safety to well-wishers, passengers and employees within the building.





NAIA 3 was built by the PIATCO consortium composed of Philippine, German and Japanese companies, namely Philippine Airport and Ground Services Terminals, Inc.; Fraport AG Frankfurt Services Worldwide; People Air Cargo and Warehousing; SB Airport Investments; Philippine Airport and Ground Services, Inc. and Nissho Iwai Corporation.





It was designed by the American Architectural firm Skidmore Owings Merill along with Flaghalen Frankfurt Main, AG.





An ultra-modern building measuring 1.1 kilometers from end to end, NAIA 3 was built according to a master plan drawn by the Aeroport de Paris in 1990.





The new terminal will have among its major features 20,000 sq. meters of shopping mall, 140 check-in counters, 118 immigration and 40 Customs counters, nine moving walkways and two car parks which would accommodate more than 3,000 vehicles, 70 flight information terminals, 300 kilometer fiber optic IT cabling, 29 restrooms, 29 elevators and 20 escalators.





It will also have duty free shops, conference rooms, a food court and an ecumenical chapel. (PNA)





 

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