(Eagle News)–President Rodrigo Duterte made a surprise inspection at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Monday morning, following reports of flight delays and cancellations.
A release from the Presidential Communications Operations Office said Duterte was accompanied by Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Ed Monreal, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General Captain Jim Sydiongco, incoming Leyte Representative Martin Romualdez, and Davao businessman Sammy Uy when he visited Terminal 2.
According to the release, the President asked about the cancellations and delays, and whether affected passengers were given incentives.
The release said a Philippine Airlines manager and a NAIA Terminal 2 airport duty manager briefed the President.
“The Chief Executive discussed how flight aberrations could be minimized and what actions could be employed by the government, particularly the Department of Transportation, to solve the problem in the long term,” the release said.
The President, who later went to a food kiosk, the release said, also vowed to come up with a solution within a month.
Duterte’s visit came following complaints of passengers being held on planes for hours on Sunday.
Airport authorities said they could not be allowed to leave due to inclement weather, which suspended ramp operations.
MIAA also recently apologized following complaints of long lines and heat in the terminal on social media, a development they attributed to the terminal renovation.
“We seek for more patience and understanding. Once completed, it will be worth all the trouble and discomfort. Konting panahon pa ang hinihiling namin,” Monreal had said.
