Heads of domestic airlines gave their commitment to airport and aviation authorities that they will collaborate closely with the government to address flight delay.
The five local airlines met at the airport Thursday, with the management of the Manila International Airport Authority, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the Civil Aeronautics Board to assess and resolve the current situation of Manila air traffic.
Those present were Philippine Airlines president Jaime Bautista, PAL Express president Bonifacio Sam, Cebu Pacific chief executive adviser Garry Kingshott, Cebgo president Michael Shau, and Air Asia Zest Chairwoman Maan Hontiveros.
The meeting focused on flight scheduling which commonly led to most delays.
It was acknowledged that flights, for various reasons, are sometimes unable to meet their original schedules. This then causes consequential delays on succeeding flights.
Small group exploratory meetings will be convened to improve on the scheduling of flights as well as the management of air traffic flow.
MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado thanked the airline leaders for taking time to discuss a very serious matter.
“We are all affected by this problem we are currently facing. And I very much agree with the sentiment that this meeting should mark the beginning of effective collaboration,” Honrado said.
The heads of the airline companies likewise gave their word that they will cooperate with the authorities. They also offered to extend any assistance that the government may need in solving the issue of delays.
These prospective solutions will further improve recent moves of the MIAA to ease air traffic.
Among others, the reactivation of Runway 31 in August allowed flight movements to take place simultaneously on both runways.
The Airport Authority is also expecting the completion of the extension of Taxiway November this year which will further decongest aircraft traffic at the intersection of the runways.