Some roads around the Ninoy Aquino International Airport will be closed to traffic while no arriving flights will be allowed at certain times when Pope Francis arrives and leaves the Philippines this January.

 

The Manila International Airport Authority on Monday released a schedule of closure of major roads at certain times during the papal visit.

 

It includes:
 

Jan. 15: Arrival Day:

Sales Avenue→Andrews Avenue→Domestic Road closed 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

 

Jan. 19: Departure Day:

Sales Avenue→Andrews Avenue→Domestic Road closed 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

 

While the closure is in effect, the NAIA can be accessed through South Superhighway, Bicutan, Sucat and Alabang roads.

 

"NAIA Terminals 3 and 4 will also be isolated as a result," the MIAA said.

 

Flight suspensions

 

Following consultative meetings with local and foreign air carriers, the MIAA said arriving flights will be suspended:

 

Jan. 15: Arrival Day:

No arrival hours from 2 to 7 p.m.

 

Jan. 19: Departure Day>

No arrival hours 6 to 10:30 a.m.

 

"Departure operations will however proceed for those flights with the corresponding aircraft on ground before the effectivity of the road closures," the MIAA said.

 

Shuttle buses

 

The MIAA will provide shuttle buses to transport departing passengers with flights in NAIA Terminals 3 and 4 as they will be inaccessible from the usual routes, Honrado said.

 

NAIA Terminals 1 and 2 can be reached via Bicutan, Sucat, Alabang through Ninoy Aquino Avenue.

 

MIAA will use Parking B at NAIA Terminal 1 as staging area for passengers.

 

"From this point, the shuttle buses will bring the passengers to NAIA Terminals 3 and 4 via the Airside road network," it said.

 

Before the road closure hours, NAIA Terminal 3 departure and arrival lobbies will be closed to non-passengers.

 

MIAA encouraged the “drop and go” system to give wellwishers and those picking up passengers enough time to leave Terminal 3 and not get caught in there when the road closure begins.

 

Contact airlines

 

The MIAA also urged passengers who have flights on January 15 and 19 to contact their airlines or their travel agency to discuss their revised flight schedules.

 

"The MIAA also urges those with flights departing on these days to come much earlier to the NAIA so they can reach their respective Terminals before road closure hours," it added. —Joel Locsin/NB, GMA News