AirAsia, Emirates bat for dual airport system in Phl

MANILA, Philippines - Airlines are urging the Aquino administration to fasttrack the joint development of the congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila and the Clark International Airport in Pampanga under the twin or dual airport scheme.

Airline executives said the joint development would decongest the 30-year old NAIA, boosting the government’s chances of achieving the projected 10 million tourists by 2016.

AirAsia Inc. Philippines president and chief executive officer Maan Hontiveros said in an interview with reporters that airlines are awaiting the pronouncement of President Aquino on whether the administration would adopt a single or dual airport system.

“I understand also the President is very open to his concept of the dual airport. We are waiting for him to make a final announcement on that and I hope it comes soon. Our plans hinge on how traffic develops in Clark for AirAsia,” Hontiveros stressed.

She pointed out that the entry of major players in the global aviation industry led by Emirates and Qatar Airways in the former US military base in Pampanga would increase air traffic.

“We are waiting to see how Clark operates. There is a new game changer in Clark as there are two big airlines that are going to start operating there. We expect to see an increase in traffic flow in Clark,” she added.

Emirates Philippines country manager Gigie Baroa told
The STAR that declaring a dual airport system would help boost tourism and trade in the country, make it easier for overseas Filipino workers to fly, and at the same time decongest NAIA.

“It makes a lot of sense especially if we want to decongest Manila,” Baroa said.

She pointed out that London, Japan and New York have adopted a dual and multi-airport system.

“It makes a lot of sense in the same manner that for example London has Gatwick and Heathrow, Japan has Osaka and Narita, New York has John F. Kennedy international airport, LaGuardia  and Newark,” she added.

According to her, Clark International Airport has a dual runway that can accommodate wide-bodied aircraft and provide more taxiway compared to the single runway and taxiway at the NAIA.

“Clark’s biggest advantage is really its runway. You have dual runway and both runways could accommodate wide-bodied aircraft. Over and above the dual runway Clark has more room for more taxiways compared to NAIA that only has one runway and one taxiway,” Baroa stressed.

Emirates, one of the world’s largest airlines, is set to launch its daily non-stop flights to Dubai from Clark next month to cater to Filipinos and tourists whose destination is  Northern Luzon. With the Manila and Clark route, Emirates offers four daily operations between Dubai and the Philippines including three daily flights via NAIA.

On the other hand, Qatar Airways is scheduled mount direct daily flights to Doha starting Oct. 28.

Business groups led by the Joint Foreign Chambers (JFC) have been urging the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) to “seriously consider” the development of the “twin airports” system.

The JFC emphasized that one big hub should have domestic and international flights all together, and that it “inconveniences passengers with domestic-international connecting flights” if separation of domestic and international ports continue.