Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista on Monday commended the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) for successfully enhancing security and monitoring, and effective operations in transportation hubs during the holidays.
CAAP reported an increase in the number of flights this year, reaching 280,000 from the previous 250,000 only during the pre-pandemic period, signifying that more passengers now rely on air transport.
Bautista also recognized CAAP’S efforts to increase the movement of airplanes, as this will provide significant support for one of the most important projects of the government this year—the privatization of the operations and maintenance of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The target is to increase the aircraft movement per hour from the current 40 to 44-48 to support the volume of passengers and flights at NAIA once it is expanded, with the passenger capacity doubling from the current 32 million per year.
“CAAP will play a very important role in making these projects a successful one. CAAP has been requested to improve the air traffic movement per hour. Of course, it’s a big task to have movements per hour up to 40 which never happened in the past. Although I believe that there are instances that we are able to do that already on selected hours.” Bautista said.
CAAP chief Manuel Tamayo has instructed his people to be proactive in preparing for events this year, particularly as the Philippines is set to host the Directors General of Civil Aviation for the Asia and Pacific Regions in Cebu with around 400 international delegates.