March 14, 2024 - Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eric Ines today met with the Airline Operators Council (AOC) and Philippine Airlines (PAL) to discuss the handling of excluded passengers who are denied entry into the country by the Bureau of Immigration.
During the meeting, GM Ines reminded the airlines’ responsibility over these passengers and the need to bring them back to the country of origin as soon as possible after being handed over to them by the BI.
“I call upon our airline operators to do their part of the responsibility over passengers who are denied entry into the country. We must remember that though inadmissible, they are still first and foremost, airline passengers. The responsibility of taking care of them does not end there,” GM Ines stressed.
The Airline Operators Council (AOC) offered to submit to MIAA a proposal on how to address the handling of excluded passengers who inevitably may take time to be flown back to their country of origin. The proposal will be discussed with the Bureau of Immigration to ensure that no provisions under the Immigration Act will be violated.
Philippine Airlines on the other hand said that they will house their excluded passengers in their lounge which is still under construction in NAIA Terminal 1. Meanwhile, passengers of other airlines with existing lounges in Terminals 1 and 3 may be accommodated inside their lounges.
“The airlines may also use MIAA Passenger Lodging Facilities (PLF) for this purpose but subject to the guidelines of its use as stated in MIAA Memorandum Circular No. 3, series 2019. We provide these facilities primarily for transiting passengers but under our guidelines, excluded passengers are given priority,” GM Ines further explained.
MIAA has a main lodging facility in Terminal 3 located at the 2nd level with an extension near Gate 116. These rooms have beds, simple storage, toilet and bath, a charging station and a simple dining area equipped with a refrigerator and a water station. Combined, these facilities can accommodate 33 passengers.
In NAIA Terminal 1, a new and improved lodging facility is due to open soon. Same provisions are expected for use by passengers.