The current mess at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport should prompt authorities to once and for all implement short- and long-term solutions to avoid potential disasters. The Naia has become inadequate to handle incoming and outgoing flights. As more tourists flock to the Philippines, the country’s premier gateway will be more hard-pressed in managing air traffic demand.
Unspecified airlines from Aug. 18 to 19 flew in 61 unauthorized make-up flights, causing further flight delays and hampered normal operations at the Naia, after the main runway was reopened following a two-day closure last week.
One of the airlines was Xiamen Airlines, which caused the runway closure when its Boeing 737-800 missed its mark upon landing on Aug. 16. Xiamen and the other airlines had flown uncoordinated flights with airport authorities.
Business groups in the Philippines have sounded the alarm before something worse happens. The Management Association of the Philippines pushed for the immediate upgrading of Naia, saying it will be a cost-effective and fastest solution to the severe congestion plaguing the Manila airport, adding the expansion of Clark airport in Pampanga province will prevent future air traffic bottlenecks.
The MAP said the upgrade should realize the optimal safe capacity of Naia and that Clark International Airport should be expanded to relieve the current demand pressure on Naia and, more importantly, meet future demand growth.
The International Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, meanwhile, backed the Bulacan International Airport project proposed by a consortium led by San Miguel Corp.
The ICCP said San Miguel’s unsolicited project would not cost the government anything and would not require any subsidy or guarantee. The company plans to build a futuristic “aerotropolis” with up to four parallel runways”•which can be expanded further to six.
Several solutions to the airport congestion have been proposed and discussed before. But the government should act with urgency, or at least offer the best practical solution at hand to address the problem. The Philippines cannot afford to close its main gateway again and turn away flights. Clark, at the moment, is a viable alternative and it should serve as one pending the construction of a new airport.