BIZ BUZZ: Coming soon: ‘Kiss and cry’ area at Naia

When some Filipinos go abroad—especially when they will be away for a long time, whether to work, study or permanently relocate—sometimes, the entire clan will see the traveler off at the airport.

While they mean well, they inadvertently contribute to airport driveway congestion.

Instead of the passenger just being dropped off or picked up in a jiffy, the entourage may take their sweet time at the driveway area.

“Pag may susundo, minsan buong barangay. (When picking up someone, sometimes the entire barangay comes along.) Parking becomes a picnic area,” said an industry source.

Since there’s no way to compel these families and well-wishers to cut short their tearful goodbyes (or do away with welcome caravans), the next best thing is to designate a proper space for them.

Tycoon Ramon S. Ang, the big boss of San Miguel Corp. that controls the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) concessionaire New Naia Infra Corp. (NNIC), has directed the latter to put up a “kiss and cry” area, the source told Biz Buzz.

The moniker is apparently inspired by the “Kiss & Fly” parking lot at San Francisco Airport, where the curbside and airport roadways are for active passenger pickups and drop-offs only.

Located at the Rental Car Center, it’s an alternative site for dropping off departing friends or family while avoiding congestion.

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The source noted that it’s also to create more space for well-wishers and travelers who need to kill time (and make them spend more of their dime), like why Singapore had built Jewel at Changi Airport.

While there’s no space to build something as grand here, NNIC has already started looking to devote as much space as it can to accommodate these well-wishers and decongest the curbside and driveway areas.

Henceforth, the source said, “Loading and unloading are going to be quick.”