Travel Advisory Issued for Philippines Airport

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a determination that aviation security at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) does not maintain and carry out effective security protocols. 

This is important news since MNL serves as a last-point-of-departure airport for flights to the USA and 6.6 million travelers visited the Philippines during 2017.

This determination was based on assessments by a team of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security experts. 

Under section 44907 of Title 49 of the United States Code, DHS is charged with the responsibility of assessing security at foreign airports with direct service to the United States to ensure they meet international standards as set by ICAO. 

In view of this finding and effective immediately, airlines issuing tickets for travel between the United States and MNL are directed to notify passengers in writing of this new DHS determination. 

In coordination with the Department of State and the Department of Transportation, TSA representatives have been working with the Philippine government to assist airport and transportation authorities in bringing MNL up to international security standards. 

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) in the Philippines assures passengers of "the highest priority and attention" for security measures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.' 

"This is to assure the traveling public that the Philippine government, through the Department of Transportation, the Manila International Airport Authority, and the Office for Transportation Security, give top priority and pay attention to the implementation of strict security measures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, "said the DOTr in a statement issued on December 26th.

Airport security standards are established by the International Civil Aviation Organization.  

TSA will continue to work with the Philippines and assist its aviation authorities with correcting the security deficiencies at the airport. 

In addition, TSA will continue to assess security measures at the airport and take appropriate actions as warranted. 

Recently, on December 21, 2018, the USA Embassy in Manila issued a Security Alert.   

The Embassy says “USA citizens should exercise caution while traveling and residing in the Philippines.”

Previously, during March 2018, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated its vaccination recommendations for Americans visiting the Philippines.   

Pre-trip travel vaccine and medication counseling sessions can be scheduled at a certified pharmacy at Vax-Before-Travel.