After more than five years of delay, the Japanese-funded communication, navigation and surveillance system of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines will be operational by the end of 2016.
“We’re looking at commissioning operationalization by end of the year, all infrastructure should be done by July,” Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya told reporters.
As of January 31, the total physical accomplishment of the P13.27-billion new Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management Systems Development Project was 81.7 percent.
The project is scheduled to be completed in December 2016. The CNS/ATM project installation was supposed to be completed in June 2013.
Abaya said the project would increase runway capacity to more than 50 aircraft per hour from the current 40 aircraft per hour
The project in May 2011 was suspended after the Commission on Audit discovered a duplication of the new Manila Area Control System that the Department of Transportation and Communications obtained.
Earlier, the Transportation Department awarded the two work packages to Sumitomo-Thales Joint Venture. The contract of the first package was signed on November 17, 2010 and the second package on April 27, 2011.
The first package entails the design and construction of the ATM Center and ATM Automation System, as well as the final integration of the whole CNS/ATM system. The second package involves the design and construction of a surveillance and communication system.
The CNS/ATM project aims to enhance safety, reliability and efficiency of air traffic and airspace systems in the Philippines. The existing air traffic control systems, navigation, communications and surveillance equipment in the country fall short of the required number, are aging and suffer from limitations.
The project will provide solutions to the shortcomings of the current terrestial-based CNS system, including limitations in very high frequency radio and radar coverage and advanced air traffic management system that will enable flexible air route selection in response to possible changes in weather or traffic and airspace conditions.