NAIA international runway closed due to emergency pothole repair

A runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport was temporarily closed on Tuesday at around 1:06 p.m. to pave way for emergency pothole repair.

In a statement, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal said the repair is expected to last for four hours on Runway 06.

Despite this, international flights will still continue on a limited scale. He added that the NAIA domestic runway, RWY 13/31, can accommodate smaller aircraft up to the A320 series.

"This pothole happened today in the course of flight operations. I ordered for an emergency repair disrupting our operations at this time of the day than wait for our daily runway closure after the last flight tonight. I will never compromise safety of flights and passengers," Monreal said.

Meanwhile, as of 1:56 p.m. the following flights at Terminal 3 were diverted to Clark:

• Singapore Airlines SQ910 (Singapore to  Manila)
• All Nippon Airways NH869 (Tokyo to Manila)
• Cebu Pacific 5J 111 (Hong Kong to Manila)
• Cebu Pacific 5J964 (Davao to Manila)

Monreal said that landing and take-off may be considered during the curing period of the asphalt overlay and if the wind direction changes towards Runway 24.

He added that "rapid exit taxiways will provide flight access to the Terminals in this case."

MIAA said that almost 100 flights will be affected during the closure. —Marlly Rome Bondoc/KG, GMA News