PASAY CITY, 14 July 2024 – The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is taking proactive steps to enhance the air cooling system at NAIA Terminal 3, aiming to resolve issues of inadequate cooling. Early this year, MIAA invested in new cooling towers that will be strategically installed to optimize piping infrastructure, thereby upgrading and significantly improving overall system efficiency of the airconditioning system in Terminal 3.
The final step for the installation of these six (6) new cooling towers is scheduled this July 16-17, 2024, from 9:00 PM to 9:00 AM, when the new cooling tower piping will be connected to the main piping lines of the chiller plant. To accomplish this, the centralized cooling system will be temporarily shut down to facilitate the works.
During this period, only the fans and blowers of the air conditioning units will operate to enable air circulation in various areas. The felt temperature may not also reach optimal comfort levels at said time. To mitigate this, stand-alone air conditioning units will be deployed in various areas of the terminal for spot cooling as backup. Once the new cooling towers are fully integrated into the chilled water system, it is expected that normal and more efficient operation of the air conditioning units will be gradually restored.
During the 12-hour downtime, the following areas will be affected: check-in counters, immigration departure, final security checks for domestic and international flights, baggage carousels for international and domestic arrivals, and the arrival lobby.
Approximately 27,000 arriving and departing passengers on 117 flights may experience discomfort due to reduced air circulation during the 12-hour interruption. MIAA's medical team will be on high alert and ready to respond to any medical emergency.
MIAA General Manager Eric Jose Ines seeks understanding and cooperation from all airport users during the temporary shut down. "Please bear with us. The upgrades are intended to bolster the terminal's capability to maintain ideal temperatures efficiently thereby ensuring a more pleasant experience for all airport users,” the airport chief emphasized.