AirAsia Philippines is on the brink of a significant change as it prepares to shift its operations from NAIA Terminal 4 to NAIA Terminal 2, starting July 1. On the day before this momentous shift, the airline, in collaboration with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), conducted a walkthrough from the old terminal to the new one. The purpose of this exercise was to acquaint guests with the forthcoming adjustments in their travel experiences.
Without a doubt, it’s a privilege for me to participate in this walkthrough and witness firsthand the preparations for AirAsia Philippines’ transition to NAIA Terminal 2.
Embracing Change and Enhancing Customer Experience
Having spent 12 years operating from Terminal 4, the airline is finally ready to bid it farewell. The walkthrough was attended by Ricky Isla, CEO of AirAsia Philippines, and Bryan Co, MIAA OIC. Together, they inspected the south wing entrance where approximately 20 beautifully arranged check-in counters are located.
With the new terminal comes improved amenities. AirAsia’s guests can now enjoy access to passenger lounges, food stalls, and passenger boarding bridges. Isla expressed his enthusiasm for the transition, stating, “We are excited to move into the new home of the champions! Undeniably, NAIA Terminal 2 offers more amenities and levels up the customer experience. It is indeed a winning move for our guests as we aim to expand our route network, and provide Filipinos with a better alternative for air travel. Our guests can only expect the best from us.”
Anticipating Challenges and Offering Solutions
While the preparations for the move are underway, the world’s best low-cost airline is also bracing for potential confusion among its guests. Some passengers might not have noticed the preflight notification sent as early as May via SMS and registered email addresses. To address these possible challenges, AirAsia has set up a customer happiness desk at NAIA Terminal 3 and 4. These desks will assist guests through shuttle services to Terminal 2 during the initial weeks of the transfer.
Isla acknowledged the potential for some confusion among guests in the beginning, but he also emphasized the airline’s investment in disseminating information. “Through our media partners, we hope to raise awareness among our guests,” he added.
Optimizing Terminal Utilization
AirAsia’s move has been praised by MIAA management for maximizing the use of the terminals, which ultimately benefits passengers. MIAA OIC Bryan Co voiced his support, saying, “Ultimately, we want a better experience for all our passengers and airport users. With the transfer of AirAsia’s domestic operations, we are opening up new opportunities to support future growth and the expansion of air travel and tourism in the Philippines’ major gateway.”
I am genuinely excited to see the potential benefits this transition to NAIA Terminal 2 will bring for AirAsia Philippines. There’s undoubtedly a lot to anticipate starting July 1.
First love never dies. I fell in love with airplanes and aviation when I was a kid. My dream was to become a pilot, but destiny led me to another path: to be an aviation digital media content creator and a small business owner. My passion for aviation inspires me to bring you quality content through my website and social accounts. Aviation is indeed in my blood and blog!
