By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, July 16 (PNA) — Nine new hotel lounges are now open to travelers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.
On its official Facebook page, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) posted photos of the new lounges, noting that these newly opened lounges will cater to passengers with hotel arrangements.
Passengers may proceed to these lounges at the arrival curbside of the terminal – or upon exiting the arrival lobby.
The lounges feature wider and brighter interiors matched with quality service of hotel staff.
Hotel lounges at Terminal 1 include Sofitel, Shangri-la, Vivere, Bellevue, Intercon, Resorts World, Fairmont, New World, and Manila Hotel.
The addition of these new lounges is only a part of the many upgrades and rehabilitation currently being done at Terminal 1.
According to the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC), rehab work for Terminal 1 is due for completion this July. Last month, it was confirmed that almost 95 percent of the terminal has been rehabilitated.
Upgrades and rehab work at the airport began last January 2014 but there were delays caused by a number of technical problems.
At present, the terminal has been expanded to accommodate 6.5 million passengers from its original design capacity of 4.5 million.
Among other upgrades in the more than 30-year-old airport include new flight information display boards, check in counters, weighing and feeder conveyors, new chillers, better lighting, and renovated lavatories.
DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Aguinaldo Abaya earlier expressed satisfaction with the development of the airport, saying that it is “much better” than before. (PNA)