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,” 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 four-day Easter holidays in the Catholic Philippines that begin on Thursday.

The apologies came amid numerous complaints by irate travellers this week over inadequate air conditioning in some parts of the airport.

Aquino said the air conditioning system of Terminal 1, the oldest of its passenger gateways, was undergoing rehabilitation and some of the units had to be shut off.

He said that while the government had tendered for replacement parts in November last year, deliveries would only start in August.

“With the strict rules of government, you cannot just order (an airconditioning unit) today and have it delivered in just 30 days,” Aquino said as he made the rounds of Manila’s ports and air terminals for safety checks.—AFP