Manila: President Benigno Aquino Wednesday hailed renovations to the Philippines` main international airport, expressing optimism it would soon shake off its ranking on one website as the world`s worst airport.
Almost a year after he personally apologised for the failure of air-conditioning at Terminal 1 of Manila`s international airport, Aquino said the facility appeared to be completely different.
"It is like I have entered a completely different airport," he told reporters as he inspected the 34-year-old terminal.
Asked by reporters if the terminal would no longer be called the world`s worst, Aquino told reporters: "That`s up to you, but they even raised the ceiling."
Ninoy Aquino International Airport -- named after the president`s father, who was assassinated there in 1983 -- topped the list of worst airports on the travel website "The Guide to Sleeping in Airports" from 2011-2013.
Travellers have long criticised its "dilapidated facilities", dishonest airport workers, rude officials and long waiting times, the website said.
However in its 2014 survey at http://www.sleepinginairports.net/2014/worst-airports.htm, the Manila terminal improved its standing -- to only the fourth worst in the world, after Islamabad, Jeddah and Kathmandu airports.
