THE Department of Transportation (DoTr) has asked companies operating general aviation services and turbo prop aircraft at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to transfer to Clark International Airport and Sangley Airport in Cavite.
The initiative, which earned support from various airlines, is expected to decongest NAIA.
DoTr Secretary Arthur Tugade said domestic airlines will be notified within the year on when they can fully relocate to Clark and Sangley.
The relocation of the general aviation operations will pave the way for improvements at the four terminals of NAIA.
Manila International Airport Authority general manager Ed Monreal, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines director general Jim Sydiongco, Civil Aeronautics Board executive director Carmelo Arcilla, Michael Tan of Philippine Airlines, Lance Gokongwei of Cebu Pacific, and Captain Dexter Comendador of AirAsia recently met to discuss the DoTr's plan.
Tugade said the meeting was productive and mutually beneficial as the airlines expressed their willingness and commitment to support the government’s thrust to utilize Sangley Airport.
"This is a solid demonstration of their trust and confidence in the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte,” Tugade said.
The DOTr chief said airlines are set to sign on June 24 a Pledge of Commitment and Support as a manifestation of cooperation with the government.
DoTr is working on a "basket of solutions" to decongest the NAIA, through airport infrastructure developments in Clark and Sangley, and the construction of the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, according to Tugade.
“Kombinasyon ng samu’t saring pamamaraan ang kailangan para maibsan ang congestion sa NAIA 1, 2, 3 at 4. We have to have a basket of approaches, hindi iisang solusyon lang dahil talagang napakaraming pasahero,” Tugade added.
NAIA already reached its maximum capacity with a passenger volume of 45 million in 2018. (PR)