Here's a bold proposition from House Minority Leader Marcelino Libanan: transfer 50 percent of all flights in and out of the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) to Clark International Airport (CIA) in Mabalacat, Pampanga by 2025.
“Assuming all flights are divided evenly between NAIA and Clark by 2025, only half of all flights would be cancelled, diverted or delayed in the event of a sudden emergency in either gateway,” said Libanan, who represents 4Ps Party-list in the House of Representatives.
Libanan was obviously alluding to the New Year's day crisis at the NAIA, when a power outage in the facility's Communications, Navigation and Surveillance Systems for Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) resulted in the cancellation of over 400 international and domestic flights.
To say the least it was an unmitigated disaster, one that the veteran solon wants to avoid the repeat of with his proposal.
But why the deadline of 2025? Libanan said this is the projected year for the full recovery of global air travel from the Covid-19 pandemic.
“For instance, if NAIA has another air traffic system glitch, or if a large aircraft suddenly has a runway excursion there, only 50 percent of all flights would be disrupted once the other 50 percent is already operating out of Clark,” he explained.
“We have no choice but to fully harness Clark, which has been up and running for years. Clark is capable of operating more flights, offers good connectivity to Metro Manila via modern expressways, and is only 90 kilometers away from Quezon City,” Libanan further said.
NAIA is situated between the cities of Pasay and Parañaque.
Last week, civil aviation officials told the House Transportation Committee that NAIA’s air traffic system is now fully functional, but that the country’s busiest airport still has no back up in case the system breaks down again as it did last Jan. 1.
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“If we do not take full advantage of Clark as alternate gateway, there will be chaos at NAIA once global air travel explodes,” Libanan warned.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sees international traveler numbers reaching 82 percent of pre-pandemic level this year, 92 percent in 2024 and 101 percent in 2025.
Libanan served as transportation committee vice chairperson during a previous term as Eastern Samar lone district representative.