Aquino sorry about fresh airport mess

Manila

PHILIPPINE President Benigno Aquino publicly apologised on Wednesday for failures in air conditioning at Manila airport, already named by an online travel guide as the world's worst. The fresh debacle at Terminal 1, used by foreign airlines, came as millions of Filipinos begin travelling for the Easter holidays during one of the hottest months of the year.

"We ask for your pardon and patience," Mr Aquino said in remarks to reporters aired live on national television. The transportation ministry also issued a separate public apology on Wednesday, on the eve of the four-day Easter holidays in the Catholic Philippines that began yesterday, Maundy Thursday. The apologies came amid numerous complaints by irate travellers this week over inadequate air conditioning in some parts of the airport.