PAL, AirAsia, Cebu Pacific agreed to use Sangley Airport —DOTr

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Thursday airlines have agreed to use the Sangley Airport in Cavite for general aviation, freight turboprop operations, and commercial turboprop operations.

The transfer of general aviation as well as freight and commercial turboprop operations will take place as soon as the airport infrastructure is in place, the DOTr said in a statement.

“Additionally, general aviation users will be notified to fully relocate in a year’s time to Clark International Airport in Pampanga and Sangley Airport to help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA),” it said.

General aviation is the operations of civil aircraft other than a commercial air transport.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the move will free up space in the four terminals of NAIA, allowing for improvements and additions to the main gateway.

Tugade met with airline representatives to ensure Sangley Airport opens for business as soon as possible as ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte.

“It was a productive and mutually beneficial meeting. Airlines expressed their willingness and commitment to support the government’s thrust to utilize Sangley Airport. This is a solid demonstration of their trust and confidence in the administration of President Duterte,” he said.

The airlines will sign a pledge of commitment and support on June 24, 2019, to manifest their cooperation with the government’s move to address aviation concerns holistically, according to the DOTr.

In the meeting, Tugade was joined by Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Director General Jim Sydiongco, Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla, Michael Tan of Philippine Airlines, Lance Gokongwei of Cebu Pacific, and Capt. Dexter Comendador of AirAsia.

On Wednesday, the Transportation chief issued a directive to construct Sangley Airport 24/7 starting Thursday to meet the November deadline set by Duterte.

Construction works at Sangley Airport begun last year, and is now at 48.68% complete.

The asphalt overlay of the runway was finished in February this year, while the passenger terminal building was 18% complete, the drainage system was 71.6% complete, and the hangars were 37% complete. —VDS, GMA News