Abaya no show at NAIA runway extension opening

MANILA, Philippines – Transportation and Communications Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya did not attend the opening of the P452-million runway extension at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) yesterday morning.

Abaya, who was supposed to be the guest of honor, said he was not able to attend due to conflict of schedule.

The inauguration of the runway extension was led by Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines director general William Hotchkiss III, CAAP deputy director for administration Rodante Joya, Civil Aeronautics Board executive director Carmelo Arcilla and Manila International Airport Authority general manager Jose Angel Honrado.

The 610-meter extension is meant to decongest runways at the NAIA Terminal 3 and facilitate ground handling of aircraft by international airlines, MIAA project manager and assistant general manager for operations Ricardo Medalla Jr. said.

The construction of the runway extension started in November 2014 and was completed last October.