Saturday, October 10, 2009

Puerto Princesa Airport - Chaos in a Small Airport




Airports can be a source of tension and paranoia for some people. They’re obviously not among the friendliest of places. There are a hundred souls moving around at anytime and people tend to their own affairs. You are a speck in their endeavors. Thus it is important to make airports spacious, airy and accessible. After all, they welcome people into the place. They set the mood of their adventures.

Puerto Princesa Airport is small, which makes you wonder why extensions and major improvements are almost non-existent in this bustling city for the last 10 years or so. Sure, they have refurbished the check-in area and the floors have been dabbed with glazed tiles – but that’s all! The predeparture area still looks tight and cramped and chaotic. With all of Puerto’s wide open spaces and increasing number of tourists, you’d wonder why they can’t afford an airport that’s worthy of its famed beauty. I also wonder why well loved Mayor Hagedorn hasn’t pushed on improvements of Puerto Princesa's airport facilities. I hope they do something about it in the next few years or so.

This is the Eye in the Sky.











Check in counter.








Crowded chaos at the predeparture area.









Upon arrival at the Puerto Princesa Airport


Baggage conveyors. Ooops, brownout blues... Seems as though this major airport doesn't even have generator facilities.


One of the very few remaining souvenir shops at the fringes of the airport grounds. There used to be several. Do not buy your souvenir items from these stalls as they have very very VERY limited stocks of ANTHING and they cost 2x the amount of their price elsewhere. Shirts here cost PhP150-180 - when you can buy them for PhP75 at the city center. Walang tawad tawad kahit piso. LOL




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