ZAMBOANGA CITY -- An official of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) strongly supports the transfer of the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA) to another location to conform with the international standards.
CAAP-Zamboanga general manager Antonio Alfonso said Thursday that the design, space and other facilities of the present airport is not in conformity with the standards of an international airport.
“The increase of passengers daily makes the airport space small and crowded,” Alfonso said, adding he believes the transfer of the airport will help solve the standardization issue as this will be compliant with the new design.
The plan of the national government is to transfer the airport to barangays Talabaan and Mercedes area, which is close to the shoreline.
Earlier, second district Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe II said the national government has already allocated PHP200 million for the purchase of lots in the two barangays in preparation for the transfer of the airport.
Dalipe said President Rodrigo Duterte has vowed to implement the project before his term ends in 2022. (PNA)
