MANILA – The Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) urged the government to hasten the upgrading of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), saying that ceasing its operations should never be an option.
In a statement, MAP noted that NAIA is a critical gateway of the country, which is aptly supported by both road and mass transport infrastructure.
“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,” the business group added.
It noted that other countries did not close their old city airports but rather upgraded and complemented them. These include Haneda airport to supplement Narita; Hongqiao in addition to Pudong in Shanghai; Suvarnabhumi airport to complement Don Mueang airport in Bangkok; and the Reagan airport in Washington D.C. and LaGuardia in New York City.
MAP is batting for a dual airport system.
“The MAP urges the adoption of an airport complementation strategy, whereby the existing NAIA and Clark International Airport are developed and operated as an integrated system, with the two airports complementing each other, ideally with an express rail link in place,” the organization said.
“Under this dual airport system, NAIA should 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,” it added.
Starting Aug. 16, Manila’s main airport operations were derailed for nearly two days after the landing mishap of Xiamen Air which blocked NAIA’s runway. More than 200 flights were cancelled affecting thousands of passengers. (PNA)
