March 1, 2013
Manila will soon join the elite cities of the world that would have the distinction of having a Multi-Airport when the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) makes recommendation to Malacanang for adoption of Multi-Airport System (MAS) for Manila to address the congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
A Multi-Airport System is defined as a set of two or more significant airports that serve commercial traffic within a metropolitan region.
Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said it would be better if there are two international airports for Manila as international gateways. But the choice would be between maintaining two major airports—Clark and NAIA—supporting each other, or vacating Manila in favor of Clark, or establishing a brand-new airport (e.i. PAL Airport) inside Metro Manila or in a nearby province that will replace the existing NAIA complex in Pasay City.
A Multi-Airport System is defined as a set of two or more significant airports that serve commercial traffic within a metropolitan region.
Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said it would be better if there are two international airports for Manila as international gateways. But the choice would be between maintaining two major airports—Clark and NAIA—supporting each other, or vacating Manila in favor of Clark, or establishing a brand-new airport (e.i. PAL Airport) inside Metro Manila or in a nearby province that will replace the existing NAIA complex in Pasay City.
To be labelled for MAS are Manila-NAIA, Manila-CLARK, and Manila- PAL should the government approved its construction, as primary airports supplemented by secondary airport, Manila-SANGLEY as general aviation airport. Two primary airport is likewise considered for Metropolitan Manila, while Sangley and Clark could be relegated to secondary gateway.
“They will be operating similar to London, New York, and Tokyo airports,” says Abaya.
New York operates a multi-airport system that is composed of four airports (i.e. three primary airports; New York/Kennedy, New York/Newark, New York/LaGuardia and one secondary airport; New York/Islip on Long Island).
“There were several options on the table and it would be up to the President to take his pick. At the very least, we will be recommending to the President to adopt a twin airport system for Manila,” Abaya added.
He refused to comment on the propose San Miguel International Airport, saying the fate of PAL airport and Clark International Airport are to be announce by the President soon.
The former project does not cost the government while the latter needs massive capital expenditures to develop as gateway as it is already the country’s fastest growing airport with eight budget airlines operating, and handled 1.3 million passengers last year.
“They will be operating similar to London, New York, and Tokyo airports,” says Abaya.
New York operates a multi-airport system that is composed of four airports (i.e. three primary airports; New York/Kennedy, New York/Newark, New York/LaGuardia and one secondary airport; New York/Islip on Long Island).
“There were several options on the table and it would be up to the President to take his pick. At the very least, we will be recommending to the President to adopt a twin airport system for Manila,” Abaya added.
He refused to comment on the propose San Miguel International Airport, saying the fate of PAL airport and Clark International Airport are to be announce by the President soon.
The former project does not cost the government while the latter needs massive capital expenditures to develop as gateway as it is already the country’s fastest growing airport with eight budget airlines operating, and handled 1.3 million passengers last year.
