TOURISM-TRAVEL: MANILA Philippines — PAL appeals transfer of LA terminal
PAL said that effective June 1, it would be forced to move its flights departing and arriving at Los Angeles to the new Midfield Satellite Concourse of the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX. / STAR/Boy Santos, file
MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is appealing a decision to transfer its Los Angeles flights to new Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) midfield gates starting next month, saying that the move would inconvenience its passengers, a large number of which are senior citizens or persons with disability.
PAL said that effective June 1, it would be forced to move its flights departing and arriving at Los Angeles to the new Midfield Satellite Concourse (MSC) of the Tom Bradley International Terminal (TBIT) at LAX.
It said the MSC gates are in a separate concourse that is connected to the main TBIT area by an underground tunnel.
“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience that the airport’s decision may cause you. PAL has appealed urgently to the airport authority to reconsider the decision to move PAL flights from the TBIT to the MSC,” the airline said in an advisory yesterday.
PAL said it is also seeking assistance from city officials regarding the matter.
“We have raised the important consideration that a large number of our Filipino-American and visiting Filipino travelers are senior citizens or persons with disability who would be better served if the boarding gates are located closer to the check-in and security areas,” it said.
“We will continue to pursue all available remedies in the hope that our flights will be retained at the original gates of the main terminal TBIT concourse for the well-being and convenience of our valued passengers,” the airline said.
In line with the looming transfer, PAL advised its passengers to allot 20 minutes additional time to walk to their departure gates at the MSC terminal.
PAL said there would be terminal transfer vehicles available for passengers who are unable to walk the full distance, which are accessible via elevators from the TBIT main concourse.
However, PAL encourages passengers to allot extra time in case of limited availability of these transfer vehicles.
PAL said there are also limited shops and food service facilities at the MSC terminal, which is why passengers need to plan on completing their shopping and dining needs at the TBIT main concourse pre-departure area before proceeding to the MSC for boarding.
Richmond Mercurio (The Philippine Star
May 23, 2021 – 12:00am
