THE upgrading of alternate runway 13/31 was completed on Tuesday, with officials hailing the timing as the country awaits the arrival of Covid-19 vaccines and the recovery of the aviation and tourism sectors.
Cabinet members led the inauguration of the extension of the cement overlay and the construction of an additional holding area (H5), seen to boost the maximum allowable 40 to 50 flight movements per hour or a total of 240 flight movements per day.
Naia runway 13/31, better known as the domestic runway, used to be 2.6 kilometers long (2,600 meters) and 45 meters wide. It has been extended to 2,800 meters. The width remains the same.
The rehabilitation of the second runway cost around P470 million while the upgrading of Terminal 2 cost more than P500 million and both are now ready for operations, said airport manager, Ed Monreal.
Monreal added with the swift completion of the project as a preliminary improvement, it “is expected that the Naia’s maximum allowable commercial flight movement capacity will increase by 10 more flight movements per hour or a total of 240 commercial flight movements per day.”
Under the rehabilitation plan are the interconnecting taxiways, as well as the 13/31 extension; the repair of deteriorated asphalt pavement areas; asphalt overlaying works for the entire runway pavement and exit connections; painting of runway pavement markers and guidelines, and other related works.
“Today I am very, very happy and full of gratitude. With the leadership of airport manager Ed Monreal, he continues to proceed with the improvements here at the Ninoy Aquino International Airports and all of its four passenger terminals,” said Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade.
He denied allegations that there would have been no improvements at the premier airport if there were no unsolicited proposals.
“Even before the pandemic, the Manila International Airport Authority was already engaged on how to upgrade the Naia airside facilities and that the leadership here can pursue development projects on its own,” he said.
Tugade added that when President Duterte assumed office, the Miaa’s airside facilities including its runways, taxiways, aircraft holding areas and aprons were in disrepair, with many potholes and surface depressions.
“This had caused longer aircraft ground time prior to landing or take off, and limited number of aircraft movements per hour which caused flight delays and congestion,” he said.
In his keynote speech, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea said the Naia upgrade proves that the Build, Build, Build programs continue to be in full swing even during the pandemic.
“As air traffic slowed to an unprecedented level due to the pandemic, this presented us with the opportunity to address the congestion problem. It allowed us to work more freely with the upgrading and rehabilitation of our airports. Thanks to the Department of Transportation and the insightful leadership of Secretary Tugade, they took advantage of the pandemic for the benefit of the people. We thank the DOTr for its perseverance, particularly in the repair and upgrading Runway 13/31,” Medialdea said.
“This completed project will be beneficial in facilitating air traffic at Naia, especially needed now, as we prepare for the continuous arrival of vaccines for the people,” he added.
Tugade had earlier directed the Naia management to continue improving the airport while waiting for the private-sector unsolicited proposals. Heeding the call, Monreal pushed through with plans for airside improvements.
“The aviation industry was not spared from the pandemic’s dire effects. However, it also opened an opportunity for us in the MiaaA, to redirect our efforts to prepare for the post-Covid travel scenario,” Monreal said.
Miaa is confident that when additional airside related projects are completed in 2021 and 2022, the goal of 60 commercial flight movements per hour, as contained in the unsolicited proposal, can be attained.
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said infrastructure such as airports, seaports, roads, “are important to our defense. Our experience here in Naia is that, whenever we go to the provinces at night, before the pandemic, sometimes we wait for 30 to 45 minutes to land. Because of this new runway, take off and landing would be faster.”
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat also lauded the DOTr and Tugade. “At least, when tourism has recovered, there will be no more flight delays. Rest assured that the Department of Tourism will be always here to support you.”
The concrete overlay used in the improvement of Runway 13 is expected to last between 15 to 20 years and is less prone to potholes, soft spots and rutting. A concrete surface also requires less maintenance and repair which would mean fewer traffic delays and flight disruptions in Naia.