Airlines to support NAIA decongestion, develop Sangley Airport

June 26, 2019

Five airline operators committed to support the decongestion of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), develop other gateways particularly Sangley Airport in Cavite, and improve convenience of the public, through the signing of a pledge of commitment and support Wednesday in Pasay City.

The initiative proceeds from President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to decongest the country's main gateway and enhance the comfort of air passengers.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat led the signing ceremony, which was participated by Cebu Air President and CEO Lance Gokongwei, AirAsia President and CEO Dexter Comendador, Philippine Airlines Officer-in-Charge Vivienne Tan, PAL Express President Bonifacio Sam, and CebGo Vice President for Corporate Affairs Paterno Mantaring Jr., who attended on behalf of CebGo President and CEO Alexander Lao, as signatories.

Tugade commended the support of the airlines.

“We thank Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, AirAsia, PAL Express, and CebGo for uniting in this goal of providing comfort to the Filipino people. This initiative is a testament to the many ways the government and private sector can work together to solve problems. However, I am expecting that this commitment will not just remain a piece of paper, but will be implemented effectively and felt immediately by our passengers,” said Tugade.

The transportation chief also thanked Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Ed Monreal, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) director general Jim Sydiongco, and Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) executive director Carmelo Arcilla for their pursuit in improving aviation and airport service.

“We would not be here today without the solidarity and hard work of our air sector. It is through their efforts that we are elevating the level of service to provide a comfortable life to Filipinos,” Tugade said.

The commitment aims to address growing demands for air travel in the Philippines, particularly at the NAIA.

Since prior 2016 until 2018, NAIA’s annual passenger traffic increased from 36.5 million to 45 million, which is 130% of its design capacity. Number of flights rose by 5.75 percent, resulting in an escalated use of airport slots per hour by 22.2 percent, or from 36 to 44.

In her message, Puyat highlighted the importance of transport infrastructure projects and initiatives in tourism.

“We thank DOTr Secretary Tugade for making this signing of commitment possible. DOTr is a close partner of the Department of Tourism in our vision to improve the tourism sector. The life blood of Philippine tourism is accessibility and connectivity. Infrastructure is critical in the continuing growth and sustainable development of our country’s tourism. We believe that we need to match the excellent hospitality of the Filipino people with the same level of infrastructure and facilities,” Puyat said.

Signatories committed to review flight operations of their respective airline companies to rationalize flight numbers, aircraft movement and rotation, as well as the usage of slots and flying rights, to improve on-time performance.

Signatories said they will support development of mechanisms of discipline in the event of flight aberrations within their control. They will cooperate with government and other regulatory agencies that have the authority to determine actionable or punishable occurrences.

They pledged to support the development and promotion of other gateways especially Sangley Airport in Cavite for possible viable operations to decongest NAIA.

Tugade ordered the accelerated construction of additional facilities at Sangley Airport to 24/7 to meet the operational timeline set by President Rodrigo Duterte for the military air base to commence general aviation and turboprop operations this November. DMS