Stubborn lot owner forcing CAAP hands to downgrade Dumaguete Airport 

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Tuesday said it may be forced to downgrade aircraft operations at the Dumaguete Airport if a private lot owner continues refusing to cut down trees that pose hazards to incoming flights. 

 

In a statement, Dumaguete Airport officer-in-charge Bernardo Ablir cautioned that an airport downgrade "will greatly stall the booming economy of Dumaguete City and the neighboring towns and cities in Negros Oriental."

 

The airport, also called Sibulan Airport, currently handles an average of 14 commercial flights daily from Manila to Dumaguete, and to Cebu operated by PalExpress and Cebu Pacific, while an average of 15 Genav (general aviation) flights or private aircrafts are landing and taking off daily, Ablir said.

 

According to CAAP, several letter requests were already sent to the private lot owner named Alexander Amor Jr. but to no avail. 

 

A June 1 letter sent by CAAP explained to Amor that the trees in his property, 50 to 100 meters opposite the highway, are obstructing the glide path angle on the final approach to the runway. 

 

"As observed from the tower, we can always see that said trees almost and occasionally touched the landing gears of the landing aircrafts. Several complaints from pilots have been received due to these trees," the letter said. 

 

The aviation authority has also requested the help of Sibulan Mayor Emmanuel Diputado to address the concern. 

 

"CAAP is still hoping that the matter will be settled amicably as soon as possible thru the immediate intervention from the local municipal executives and with support from Negros Oriental Tourism Council," it said. – Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/VS, GMA News