By Ma. Cristina Arayata/Philippine News Agency
MANILA — Executives from Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific (CEB) and AirAsia Philippines gathered on Wednesday to sign a pledge of commitment to support the development of Sangley airport.
The government plans to use the Sangley airport for general aviation and domestic flights to help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Earlier this month, President Rodrigo Duterte directed the operations in Sangley to start immediately. The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is now working 24/7 on its construction.
CEB president Lance Gokongwei, PAL officer-in-charge Vivienne Tan, and AirAsia Philippines chief executive officer Dexter Comendador all pledged their support for the government’s plan, as this would mitigate congestion at NAIA and benefit the public and the aviation sector.
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, however, said Sangley alone could not address the congestion at NAIA.
“We need a basket of solutions,” he said, referring to the various government initiatives to decongest NAIA.
Among these solutions include the development of NAIA’s facilities, development of Clark Airport and other airports outside Metro Manila, Tugade said.
The transportation chief targets more domestic airports to be night-rated, which means the airports would be equipped with night-rating facilities, so they could accommodate flights even after sunset.
There is also a need to develop direct flights from other international airports in the country, and Tugade said he needs the Department of Tourism’s help to achieve this.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat also attended the event.
“We need to improve direct flights from Cebu, Panglao, Davao, and other international airports,” he said.
Tugade added that he is planning to use not just Sangley, but also Clark Airport in transferring general aviation flights from NAIA.
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