Piatco appoints NAIA-3 manager

The Philippine International Air Terminals Co. (Piatco) announced yesterday the appointment of retired Air Force general Guillermo Cunanan as general manager of the controversial Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.

But the Air Transportation Office (ATO) virtually threw a monkey wrench on Terminal 3’s scheduled opening on Nov. 26 as it issued yesterday an "order of no movement of aircraft" until after it has assessed the controversial terminal’s safety features.

Cunanan, general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) from 1992 to 1995, was chosen "because of his competence and wide experience as an Air Force pilot and in handling day-to-day operations of a major international airport," according to Piatco vice president for corporate affairs Moises Tolentino.

Tolentino said Cunanan, also a former ambassador to Cambodia, will be managing one of Asia’s most modern airport facilities which features state-of-the-art technology that can accommodate more than three times the number of passengers handled annually by the NAIA Terminal 2.

Upon its completion, Terminal 3 will have 140 check-in counters, 40 Customs counters, nine moving walkways, 118 immigration counters, a 2,000-car covered car park and another 1,200-car outdoor car park.

According to Piatco, the entire terminal facility will be ready for occupancy and operations by Nov. 26, although the concession agreement dates the terminal construction termination on Dec. 3.

But in its order of "no movement of aircraft," which took effect yesterday until Dec. 27, ATO chief Adelberto Yap said the ATO will have to conduct simulation flights and other tests to determine if the new terminal is indeed ready for commercial operations.

Aside from simulation flights, Yap said the ATO will also inspect ramps, aero-bridges, cargo holds, taxiways and internal access road which, he said, are essential to the safety and smooth operations of the new terminal.

"We have to determine first if all the facilities required for safety and smooth operations of the new terminal have been met and functioning before we could allow it to operate," Yap said.

Yap said the order of no movement of aircraft was issued After representatives of the US Federal Aviation Administration quietly conducted an inspection of the terminal last week.

He is also expected to closely supervise the adoption of security and safety measures by Piatco to conform with international standards, especially to prevent terrorist attacks and other emergency situations. – Rey Arquiza