A week ago, the country took an unwelcome break from the intensifying federalism debate to confront a more immediate issue. A single Chinese airliner skidded off the runway and the NAIA was paralyzed for close to three days. It has been reported that more than 260 flights were scrapped causing thousands of passengers frantically trying to find alternative flights The NAIA is already handling more than 42 million passengers annually which is way beyond its annual capacity of 30 million passengers. The NAIA has turned into the EDSA of the Philippine skies.
The Senate has decided to hold hearings on this issue and has summoned airport and transportation officials as well as airline executives to explain the paralysis of operations. Hopefully, these hearings will not turn into mere television moments with Senators trying to get free airtime; but in the end no viable and long term recommendations have been resolve.
There are three issues the Senate should focus on during the hearings. The first issue is to determine the cause of Xiamen Air plane for skidding off the runway. It should be noted that other airliners were able to land without skidding. There are also reports that Xiamen Air, in its subsequent actions, did not coordinate with the NAIA authorities.
The second issue has to do with the response capability of the NAIA authorities. A single airliner skidded off the runway; and, it took more than two ( or three) days to normalize airport operations. Surely this kind of incidents is something the airport officials should have anticipated. Is there a contingency plan in case this kind of incident happens so that the paralysis of airport operations should last only hours instead of days?
The third issue is the more substantial one. We all know that the NAIA is handling passenger and cargo volumes well beyond its capacity. This problem is only going to get worst. It would be too much for anyone to expect that the Senate hearing will result in a comprehensive plan to tackle these issues. The Senate can explore the different proposals on how to resolve the NAIA. They range from closing NAIA to building a new NAIA in Bulacan or Sangley, Cavite.
If the Senate is looking for a viable and logical framework to address the NAIA, I strongly suggest the Senators read the MAP statement which provides the best framework for any reasonable discussion on this topic. Here is the entire MAP statement:
Map Statement
“The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) urges the immediate upgrading of NAIA which appears to be the most cost-effective and fastest solution to the severe congestion currently plaguing the Manila airport. Concurrently, the expansion of the Clark airport shall ensure that future air traffic bottlenecks are prevented.
The MAP urges the adoption of an airport complementation strategy whereby the existing NAIA and Clark International Airports are developed and operated as an integrated system with the two airports complementing each other ideally with an express rail link in place.
Under this dual airport system, NAIA 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. 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.
WE strongly object to the closing of NAIA – which we consider as a very drastic and counter-productive move. NAIA is a strategically located air gateway supported by a road system already in place and with proximately located rail and future subway lines to serve the needs of air travellers in Mega Manila and Southern Luzon. Also, Manila’s first international cruise terminal is being planned to be built nearby in the next several years.
A city airport, such as NAIA, has the great advantage of convenient access, besides providing support to the local economy. Its benefits should not be neglected. Many metropolitan cities in the world recognize this reality. Their old city airports, instead of being phased out as previously intended in favor of newer larger-capacity airports in the suburbs are being upgraded. Tokyo Haneda is being expanded to supplement Narita. Shanghai has its Hong Xiao in addition to Pudong, London City airport at Canary Wharf, Reagan airport in Washington D.C., La Guardia in New York City. Even Bangkok is keeping Don Muang with Suvarnabhumi Airport.
NAIA and Clark require only upgrades while a new airport complex, from the ground up, will require an exhaustive study and a well considered approach as seen in projects of such nature abroad. In particular, aside from its financial viability, a credible environmental assessment must be made. Its complementary, coordinated regulated role and impact within the existing aviation system must be weighed carefully, aside from the resulting user costs, as building from scratch will definitely involve much more time, higher costs of development and operation among others.
We urge the government to fast track the approval of the private sector upgrade of NAIA, particularly airside and landscape improvements, based on value for money principles. While physical improvements are slated, airport management, including maintenance and upkeep, must be raised to world standards. Terminal assignments among airlines must be rationalized without further delay to resolve severe congestions in Terminal 2, which is being currently for both domestic and international operations although not so designed and configured.”
Creative writing classes for kids and teens
Young Writers’ Hangout on Sept. 1 and 15 (1:30 pm-3 pm; stand-alone sessions) fiction writing with Sarge Lacuesta on Sept. 22 (1:30-4:30 pm) at Fully Booked BGC. For details and registration, email writethingsph@gmail.com.
Email:elfrencruz@gmail.com