By Recto Mercene, July 1 2019; Business Mirror

https://businessmirror.com.ph/2019/07/01/naia-7th-fastest-apac-airport-to-exit/

Image Credit to Business Mirror

THE Ninoy Aquino International Airport was ranked the 7th fastest Asia Pacific (Apac) airport to exit, according to a survey released by Blacklane, a global chauffeur and airport concierge service.

It takes less than an hour for travelers to exit the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after deplaning, gathering their luggage, clearing customs and immigration, and walking to vehicles with chauffeurs—making the Philippine capital among the fastest airport terminals to exit in Asia, a news report released on Wednesday found.

Specifically, passengers would only need an average of 37 minutes to exit the Naia—the seventh fastest airport in the region for international arrivals, according to the Berlin-based company.

Shanghai’s Pudong Airport was ranked second fastest to exit.

In the Asia-Pacific region, airports in China, Australia and India get international travelers through faster, with gateways in Shanghai and Macau securing the top 2 spots at 22 minutes and 32.5 minutes, respectively.

On the flipside, Blacklane found that capital cities are “the majority of the slowest airports to exit in Apac for international travelers.”

“Tokyo has two of the 10, with Beijing, Colombo, Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur on the list. All of these take at least 46 minutes to exit.”

Some of the important factors cited for the short exit time are the smaller size of aircraft and airport terminals. Also considered was the substantial deployment of airport employees to accommodate passengers, as well as new technology such as e-gates that speed up travelers’ exit.

Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade commended the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa), under General Manager Ed Monreal, for the international citation.

“I congratulate the Miaa for this achievement. This is evidence that the management of the country’s main gateway is geared toward enhancing the comfort and convenience of the air-riding public, as aspired for by no less than President Duterte himself,” Tugade said.

Monreal thanked Tugade for his support, calling it the “driving force” behind the triumphs of Miaa and the department in general in the past three years.

“Secretary Art’s vision and passion for work are like no other, and we are thankful to have him at the helm,” Monreal said.

“I share this cordial review with all airport agencies, public and private, whose mandates are to ensure a pleasant and hassle-free airport experience for travelers. Collaboration is the key to a healthy and effective support system in Naia,” the airport chief added.

Blacklane’s service is available in more than 60 countries, 300 cities, and at over 500 airports worldwide.