MIAA, airlines talks ongoing on flight rationalization

By Aerol John Pateña

June 4, 2018, 8:07 pm

MANILA -- The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is still conducting discussions with various airlines on the reassignment of flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

The agency said it is yet to come up with its decision on the rationalization of flights to decongest the terminals of NAIA.

“The Department of Transportation wishes to advise the public that reports circulating online and via traditional media on supposed new airline assignments at the NAIA are not yet final,” the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said in a statement.

“Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal confirms that new assignments have been discussed with the airlines, but no concrete decision has been made yet, in view of the many options available for consideration,” it added.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade earlier said that flights in NAIA are needed to be rationalized as its terminals are currently being used for both domestic and international flights which lead to the congestion of its runways.

Tugade said that under the original concept of NAIA, Terminals 1 and 3 should handle international flights while Terminals 2 and 4 are for domestic flights.

He also expressed his support to the proposal of House Speaker Pantaleon Alvarez for airlines to transfer some of their flights to the Clark International Airport.

Reports circulating in social media said that the NAIA will be implementing its new airline assignments effective Aug. 31, 2018.

The proposed terminal assigment plans are set as follows:

Terminal 1: Philippine Airlines (international flights); Etihad Airways; Saudia Airlines; Japan Airlines and Thai Airways

Terminal 2: Domestic flights of Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific

Terminal 3: Cebu Pacific (international flights) and all other international carriers, except for the 5 airlines assigned to Terminal 1

Terminal 4: All other airlines serving domestic flights, except for Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. (PNA)

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