NAIA hit by another vehicle crash

A “minor” vehicular incident occurred Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2 arrival area, involving a Toyota Hi-Ace Super Grandia that struck the kerb between Bays 13 and 14 while maneuvering.

The driver told authorities he was trying to avoid another vehicle. No injuries were reported, and no damage to airport property was observed, according to authorities.

Airport security and police personnel responded immediately. After a quick assessment of the scene, the van was safely backed out and escorted to the Airport Police Division (APD) for routine documentation.

The portion of the kerb where the van made contact does not have bollards — short, sturdy posts often used to block vehicles from entering pedestrian areas.

According to airport officials, Bays 13 and 14 are not considered high-traffic zones and have not been identified as areas posing significant safety or security risks.

Still, the absence of bollards in some parts of the airport has drawn renewed attention, especially in light of a recent tragedy at NAIA Terminal 3.

Just last month, two people, including a young girl, were killed when a speeding SUV barreled into the arrival kerbside area. The driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, and the bollards in place to stop it proved inadequate.

The airport’s private operator, New NAIA Infrastructure Corp. (NNIC), said the location at Terminal 2 has since been included in a comprehensive audit of bollard placements across all NAIA terminals.

That audit, which began following the Terminal 3 incident, has now been completed.

NNIC said it is now implementing improvements to ensure that all existing bollards are properly installed and securely anchored, while also adding new ones in key areas identified by the audit.

Officials have not said how long the upgrades will take, but the company emphasized that the effort is part of a broader plan to improve safety throughout the airport complex.

The company added that it is working closely with airport authorities and law enforcement to strengthen safety measures wherever necessary.