The Management Association of the PhIlippine on Monday pushed for the immediate upgrading of Ninoy Aquino International Airport following the congestion caused by an incident involving a Xiamen flight on Thursday.
The influential business group said the upgrading of Naia would be a cost-effective and fastest solution to the severe congestion plaguing the Manila airport, while the expansion of Clark airport in Pampanga province would prevent future air traffic bottlenecks.
“The upgrade should realize the optimal safe capacity of Naia. The Clark International Airport should be expanded to relieve the current demand pressure on Naia and, more importantly, meet future demand growth,” MAP said.
“We strongly object to the closing of Naia – which we consider as a very drastic and counter-productive move,” it said.
It proposed the adoption of an airport complementation strategy where the existing Naia and Clark international airports would be developed and operated as an integrated system with the two airports complementing each other, ideally with an express rail link in place.
Under the dual airport system, Naia should be upgraded expeditiously, preferably undertaken by the private sector, including a possible close-in parallel runway for emergencies, such as the recent closure of the main runway, according to MAP.
“We urge the government to fast-track the approval of the private-sector upgrade of Naia, particularly airside and landside improvements, based on value for money principles. While physical improvements are slated, airport management, including maintenance and upkeep, must be raised to world standards,” the group said.
It suggested that terminal assignments among airlines be rationalized without further delay to resolve the severe congestions in Terminal 2, which is being currently used for both domestic and international operations although it was not designed and configured as such.
MAP said many metropolitan cities in the world were also upgrading their old airports. “Their old city airports, instead of being phased out as previously intended in favor of newer large-capacity airports in the suburbs, are being upgraded. For example, Tokyo Haneda is being expanded to supplement Narita. Shanghai has its HongXiao in addition to Pudong, London City airport at the Canary Wharf, Reagan airport in Washington D.C., La Guardia in New York City. Even Bangkok is keeping Don Muang with Suvarnabhumi Airport,” the group said.
The group suggested that aside from its financial viability, a credible environmental impact assessment should be made.