Cebu Pacific wants independent slot coordinator for NAIA

Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) on Monday said the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) needs an independent slot coordinator for airplanes as a measure to decongest airport traffic and avoid flight delays.   A well-managed airport slotting prevents congestion and maximizes airport use and aircraft movements, CEB, one of the country’s flag-carriers said in a statement.   A slot coordinator approves all airport slots for the March to October summer schedule, and allots the time for an airplane to land and take off.   Apart from hiring an independent slot coordinator, CEB said it supports plans to transfer aviation schools and smaller planes out of NAIA since these use up to 17 percent of the main airport’s annual capacity.   “The upgrading of more airports outside Manila to allow night flights will decongest NAIA runway and allow airlines to spread out their flights throughout the day,” it also said.   CEB also wants additional rapid exits built so that airplanes may leave the runway as quickly as possible after landing.   CEB’s on-time performance slipped to 77 percent on average in 2011 from  88 percent a year earlier. —JLA/VS, GMA News