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Measures to ensure smooth air traffic control implemented as COVID hits CAAP personnel

Philippines | National

Measures to ensure smooth air traffic control implemented as COVID hits CAAP personnel

By Ariel Fernandez

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) assured the public on Wednesday, Jan. 19, of sufficient number of its personnel to man its facilities amid the rise of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases in the country.

CAAP director general Jim C. Sydiongco issued the statement as over 250 of their personnel tested positive for COVID-19 and resulted in the decrease of the number of employees deployed.

"Despite the increased number of employees testing positive, CAAP has been able to provide sufficient aviation-relation services and airport control tower functions by creating mitigation and safety measures to protect its workers, most especially its technical personnel such as air traffic controllers (ATCs) who man the country's airport control towers, handling the crucial duty of guiding aircraft and crew on air," said Sydiongco.

CAAP also decided to reduce the hourly arrival at Ninoy Aquino International Airport to 16 flights from 18.

Sydiongco said they have already addressed the public which includes aggressive vaccination drive of its personnel. Currently, 96 percent of CAAP employees were already vaccinated.

He said another measure is the creation of "bubble" space that will safely house the healthy ATCs have been created to ensure that CAAP's technical personnel are protected from the virus.

"Through this bubble and the continued strict compliance to minimum health standards, the shortage in technical personnel has been under control," he said.

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