hello guys what do you think about this???

[lizaphil]

There's a wild rumor going around the Philippines that the scruffy Manila International Airport will close, and the country's primary international airport will move up to Angeles City, former home to Clark A.F.B. and site of a humongous airport left behind by the Americans.

No wait, it's true.

After two decades of struggling to improve the worst airport in Asia, the Philippine government has apparently thrown in the towel and abandoned all hope, and will someday close down disgraceful NAIA and force all international air arrivals to deplane in Angeles, some two hours north of Manila. Two hours. And you thought Hong Kong, Korea, and Tokyo had inconveniently located airports...just wait until you have to board some ratty old Philippine Rabbit bus from Angeles bus terminal down to Manila.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has announced that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila will be closed to give way to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) here as the main international airport of the country.

Clark will now be the new premier airport, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declared during last Tuesday's Cabinet meeting in Malacañang convened to discuss the future of Philippine aviation, including DMIA's role as a developmental route where a liberalized regime of air policies will be in effect.

Prior to issuing the directive, Transportation Secretary Leandro Mendoza briefed the President on the need to transfer NAIA's operations to DMIA to ensure the country's economic competitiveness.

"For the Philippines to be competitive, we have to close NAIA as our major gateway and transfer to Clark," Mendoza said referring to an impending multi-lateral agreement providing for an open skies regime among a number of Asian countries including the Philippines.

"In other words, you are saying Clark will not just be a developmental route, it will now be the premier airport," Arroyo told Mendoza adding Clark will now be phased in as the premier airport because NAIA is too crowded already.

Sun Star Pampangna

[andypaul]

Jolly good I think Peanutz if this is true needs start up a luxury airport transfer and hotel/resturant in angeles.

[lizaphil]

yup if it is true,,,
do you want to go to clark???
when we are travelling from uk 18 hours on airplane,, then you are landing to clark and 2hours travel to maynila
oohhh!!!! no!!! lots of hassel yes???

[andypaul]

yup if it is true,,,
do you want to go to clark???
when we are travelling from uk 18 hours on airplane,, then you are landing to clark and 2hours travel to maynila
oohhh!!!! no!!! lots of hassel yes???

Indeed maybe they could bulid a high speed train line.

Peanutz you better get on the phone to the Bank Manager can i borrow 3 billion pounds please? I want to bulid a High speed rail link.

[kimmi]

Peanutz you better get on the phone to the Bank Manager can i borrow 3 billion pounds please? I want to bulid a High speed rail link.

i think thats a sound business idea..he he he

[Alan]

Good old Gloria. I wonder how many million pesos she will put in her pocket for this idea!!!!

Al.

[lizaphil]

Good old Gloria. I wonder how many million pesos she will put in her pocket for this idea!!!!

Al.

yes,thats why pilipinas no improvement because of our government couraption,,
so bad..

[Gavanddal]

Even worse, BAA are bidding for the baggage handling contract!!!!!

[walesrob]

They are NOT going to close NAIA, full stop. Its a rumour, nothing more.

The plan is to use Clark for some international flights to help reduce the load on NAIA. That's all. Panic over.

By the way, Hong Kong's airport is in a very convenient place, with probably the best public transport in the world linking it to all parts of the country. The old Kai Tak had to close, it could not expand and had reached capacity a long time ago.

[ginapeterb]

Rob as always is spot on, Hong Kong is brilliantly located, the electric train into Tsing Yi, Kowloon and Hong Kong station is a joy to ride on, those of us who regular go into the city to stay the night, love the train, the public transport in Hong Kong is as Rob says, superb, the buses, the trains are great, and I remember the days when it was RAF Kai Tak, and that was a nightmare, Chep Lap Kok international is a brilliant looking airport and with Free wi-fi for all PDA LAPTOP users.

NAIA is scruffy that we all agree, however, if this is not the greatest advertisement for a Cebu Pacific direct flight to Bacolod City, then I don't know what is.

[hilda_danao]

would philippines be the only country who's capital city has no international airport? i can't imagine... it will greatly affect the economy.. it would be a very brainless decision to close the whole Naia...oh dear!

[andypaul]

would philippines be the only country who's capital city has no international airport? i can't imagine... it will greatly affect the economy.. it would be a very brainless decision to close the whole Naia...oh dear!

Many from what i have seen many have airports a fair way out of the centre.

With high speed link and better road links it might be more useful than the nightmare which is NAIA IMO

Lets face it how many of the people using the Airport actually use manila both tourists and OFWs a sizable amount are trying to go other places other than manila.

Make Manila like City Airport in the UK

[alicat]

yup if it is true,,,
do you want to go to clark???
when we are travelling from uk 18 hours on airplane,, then you are landing to clark and 2hours travel to maynila
oohhh!!!! no!!! lots of hassel yes???

like that idea,as we live in subic..
so close

[joebloggs]

sounds a crazy idea, 2 or 3 hour driver to manila, and thats where most people want to go

[kimmi]

I think it will be better if we just relax and wait first if it will become a reality..

because like what Mod Rob has said,its only just rumor..

Lets cross the bridge when we get there..

[aug06_2006]

lucky we are coz we booked ticket in Qatar Airlines..will not stopping in NAIA.

[Peanutz]

Indeed maybe they could bulid a high speed train line.

Peanutz you better get on the phone to the Bank Manager can i borrow 3 billion pounds please? I want to bulid a High speed rail link.

I had a meeting with GMA. She said there is nothing to worry about, NAIA will not be close actually they are planning to renovate it.
She do agree with the High speed rail link, she was also very happy to hear about the first class luxury hotels and restaurants. I also mentioned about the spa's and fitness gym, luxury shopping mall and and lots of services like personal shopping assistant?She would really love it! This is the new project for NAIA Airport.
When she learned that £3B is needed for this project. She said that I need a JPMorgan back up to be able to borrow!

Sigh! my dreams shattered in pieces....

[andypaul]

sounds a crazy idea, 2 or 3 hour driver to manila, and thats where most people want to go

People use easy jet and most of their Airports are miles out.

Charles de gaulle is a coach ride to the centre of paris.

Heathrow, stanstead, luton and gatwick all a way out of central tourist and business london.

I