PAL adjusts flight schedule due to NAIA runway works

MANILA, Philippines - Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said yesterday it is revising some of its flight schedules to adjust to the planned seven-month partial closure of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) due to runway repairs.

With the closure of the NAIA runway 06-24 from 12:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. starting Jan. 10 up to August 2012, one domestic and 12 international PAL flights either departing from or arriving at the premier airport would be adjusted accordingly, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.

The affected flights include routes to Delhi via Bangkok; Singapore; Los Angeles-Guam; Incheon, South Korea; Melbourne, Australia; Vancouver, Canada; and Cebu.

All other PAL flights will follow the old published schedule.

According to Villaluna, certain flights departing from San Francisco and Los Angeles may experience some delays depending on wind conditions and the revised Manila airport schedule.

US passengers bound for Manila are still advised to check in at least two hours prior to their published departure time.

For the revised timings of departures and arrivals of early morning flights, passengers are advised to check the PAL website or call their reservations.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) will close the NAIA to allow the construction of a rapid exit taxiway (RET).

The upgrading of the NAIA and runway is estimated to cost P1.16 billion in preparation for the expected increase in arrivals from the present 3.5 million to 10 million in 2016. The 30-year old NAIA has been the subject of criticisms due to congestions, poor facilities and rundown appearance.

Low-cost carrier (LCC) operators such as Cebu Pacific, Airphil Express, ZestAir and SeaAir are also due to release the revised schedules of arrivals and departures.

MIAA general manager Jose Honrado said P20 million was allocated for the repairs of the 72 toilets spread around the terminal.

Out of the P1.16 billion allocation, P340 million will be used for needed structural retrofit to improve the structural integrity of the NAIA, which was found to be structurally unfit following a P10-million study last year.

“We will have to conform to the National Structural Code of the Philippines,” Honrado said.

The NAIA, built in 1982, was originally designed for 4.5 million passengers per year but now services some 7.3 million passengers annually.

The MIAA head said P500 million has been allocated for architectural, engineering and interior design, including the airports internal facilities. This will not only mean the replacement of worn-out interiors but also the increase of immigration booths.