To address the long-standing problem of runway congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Senator Richard Gordon has proposed anew the reopening of the Subic Bay International Airport.
“I have long been calling on past administrations to resolve this problem because it affects our economy. A good international airport as the country’s gateway is essential to economic growth,” Gordon said.
The runway congestion has resulted in delayed flights, both local and international. This has discouraged investors from bringing their businesses into the country as well as discouraged potential tourists.
Gordon himself experienced first-hand the inconvenience caused by Naia’s runway congestion recently. His flight to Istanbul on April 15, which was scheduled to take off at 9:45 p.m., was delayed for more than one hour at the runway.
“We had to wait on the runway for more than one hour before we were given clearance to take off. I was afraid we would miss our connecting flight in Istanbul,” he said.
Gordon said once the Subic Bay International Airport is reopened, flights from Naia can be diverted to Subic and to the Clark International Airport in Clarkfield, Pampanga.
The senator said expressed optimism that Clark and Subic will provide seamless air transportation services given that they are only 30 to 45 minutes away from each other.
“Why not open Subic Bay International Airport and divert flights to SBIA and Clark International Airport to help ease the runway congestion at the Naia?” he said.
He said passengers from Manila could take the ferryboat from Manila to Bataan and then proceed by land to Clark or Subic.