NAIA 3 implements 4-hour power interruption to improve electrical system

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 implemented a four-hour power interruption in select areas on Tuesday to improve the condition of its electrical system. 

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said the power interruption was scheduled for 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and was done to replace defective medium voltage power cables and vacuum circuit breakers in two of NAIA Terminal 3’s substations. 

The affected areas were the following: 

• Air Asia office
• Some lighting and outlets at Boarding Gates 101-112
• Moving walkways and elevators on Levels 2 and 3 of the International side
• Independent air conditioning systems for Boarding Gates 101-112 and passenger boarding bridges
• Ramp offices, and food and retail concessionaires on Level 1

Standby generators were operational to ensure a continuous power supply to critical equipment. 

“We apologize for the inconvenience due to this scheduled limited power interruption. This is an inevitable consequence of our commitment to rehabilitate and upgrade our T3 electrical systems,” MIAA officer-in-charge Bryan Co said.

The MIAA said another power shutdown would be implemented on Wednesday if energization activities were not completed within the four-hour window. 

”It is expected that the power interruption will have no impact on flight operations,” MIAA said. 

On January 1, a power outage knocked out the air traffic management system at NAIA, forcing the cancellation of hundreds of flights and affecting thousands of passengers. 

In May, several flights were also either canceled or delayed after a power outage hit NAIA Terminal 3.