PAL backs proposal to move general aviation ops out of Naia

Lucio Tan. FILE PHOTO

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Saturday expressed its support to the administration’s plan to take general aviation operations out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), in a bid to decongest the country’s main international gateway.

“We declare our full support to the new government’s decision to move the operations of general aviation out of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) to either Sangley, Clark or Subic,” PAL Chairman and CEO Lucio Tan said in a statement.

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“The move of the Department of Transportation will significantly decongest the Naia which is currently shared by general aviation operators and scheduled airlines,” he added.

Tan said any move to reduce air traffic congestion at Naia will enhance passenger convenience, aside from improving airlines’ flight schedule reliability.

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The tycoon also vowed to pull out his private jets to help decongest the airport.

“This declaration of support includes moving out of Naia my small fleet of private jets as gesture of compliance to the Department of Transportation initiative,” Tan said.

In his first Cabinet meeting after being sworn in as the country’s 16th President, Duterte asked Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade about the possibility of transferring domestic flights to Clark International Airport in Pampanga.

Duterte also expressed openness in building a commercial airport in Sangley Point, Cavite as an alternative gateway “if there’s money from investors.” IDL