MIAA conducting maintenance power shutdowns at NAIA T3

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said Thursday it is conducting a series of power maintenance activities at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3.

In a news release, MIAA said the series of maintenance activities started on April 2 and is targeted to be completed by May 28.

The maintenance works were aimed at replacing the deteriorated medium voltage switchgear components across eight different electrical substations within NAIA Terminal 3. 

MIAA said the activity is “a continuation of the Terminal 3 electrical systems upgrade project commenced last year.”

The airport authority said the power shutdowns will be sectoral and will affect the open and multilevel parking, substations in the South and North concourses, and the main substation of Terminal 3. 

“As far as practicable, these will start at midnight when the least amount of flights is scheduled,” it said.

Nonetheless, MIAA said it will have standby generator sets at each substation to provide uninterrupted power supply to critical airport systems thereby ensuring continuous processing of passengers and flights. 

“Reduced air conditioning supply in certain areas as well as some elevators and escalators not functioning may be experienced from time to time,” the airport authority added.

MIAA said it remains steadfast in completing these necessary and crucial upgrades while having to deal with inevitable power interruptions in the course of the project.   

It may be recalled that the first of this series of interruptions was undertaken from November 29 to December 13, 2023, covering different areas of NAIA Terminal 3. 

MIAA said activities then did not pose serious disruptions to both passengers and flight operations as a result of a well-planned and coordinated work plan. No delays or cancellations attributable to the maintenance works were reported.  

“We apologize to all our airport stakeholders. Rest assured that the benefits of this electric systems upgrade will far outweigh the inconveniences it may bring in the course of its implementation. We seek for more patience and understanding from everyone,” said MIAA general manager Eric Ines. —Ted Cordero/ VAL, GMA Integrated News