Cathay Pacific’s move to NAIA 3 may not push thru

Hong Kong’s Cathay Pacific would have to put off plans of moving to Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA 3) this month should it insist on having its own passenger lounge. The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said Tuesday it would not be able to meet Cathay Pacific’s last minute request before the airline moves to Naia 3 at the end of June. NAIA 3 opened in July 2008. “Cathay Pacific can actually move [to NAIA 3] already. All the systems like baggage handling, passenger check-in, bridges — these are all ready," MIAA General Manager Melvin Matibag said in an interview. “The terminal facilities are ready now, but Cathay still wants to build a lounge before they move. That’s going to take some time," he said. “It doesn’t look like they can move by the end of the month." Cathay Pacific currently uses the facilities of NAIA Terminal 1, the airport that opened in 1981, for its passenger check-in service. Calls made by GMANews.TV to Cathay Pacific’s Makati office were answered by a voice messaging service. MIAA officials would meet other international carriers that were planning to occupy NAIA 3, Matibag said. “This week, we’re hoping we can talk to the two other airlines that have expressed their interest in moving to NAIA 3," he said. One of the airlines is from the Middle East, the other is from the region, he said. “Maybe they can move to NAIA 3 by June 30, instead of Cathay Pacific," he said. Gokongwei-led Cebu Pacific and Lucio Tan’s budget carrier, Airphil Express, are now operating in NAIA 3. —VS, GMANews.TV