More domestic flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport have been canceled after aviation authorities extended the temporary shutdown of the Tagaytay air traffic radar until 12 midnight today (Saturday).
The temporary closure, which began at 6 a.m. of March 6, was supposed to end at 6 a.m. yesterday (March 11).
In its latest Notice to Airmen, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines explained that the cause of delay was due to strong winds as antenna pedestal can not be lifted on top of the tower.”©”©
“As of 10 a.m. today [March 11], antenna pedestal was put in place on top of the tower and is up and running.”©”© Radar alignment procedure/calibration is now in progress,” said CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio.
The delay prompted the Cebu Pacific Air to cancel about 40 domestic flights scheduled Saturday.
Canceled flights include those from and to Manila, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Caticlan, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga, Tuguegarao, Naga, Kalibo and Cauayan.
The airline management advised the affected passengers to avail of the following options without penalties—rebook their flights for travel within 30 days from the original departure date; or opt for full refund or travel fund.
“Other passengers with flights to and from Manila tomorrow, March 11, whether or not affected by above cancellations, may still opt to avail the same options above without penalties,” it added.
The management also apologized to the passengers for the cancellation of flights.
“We sincerely hope for our passengers’ understanding, as this situation is beyond our control. The safety of everyone remains our utmost priority.”
Last Tueday, CAAP officials, led by deputy director general for operations Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo, inspected the progress of the maintenance work being done at the facility located in Barangay Neogan, Tagaytay City.
The facility is one of the three radars being utilized by CAAP in guiding flights approaching airports at NAIA and Clark, while the other two are in Laoag and Mt. Majic in Cebu City.
Tamayo said the repair is necessary as it will be integrated with the soon-to-be-launched satellite-based Communications, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) systems. He added the repair covers the overhauling of antenna and replacement of its drive motor and rotary joint.
The CNS/ATM system enables aircraft operators to meet their planned times of departure and arrival and adhere to their preferred flight profiles with minimum constraints and without compromising agreed levels of safety.
The system improves the handling and transfer of information, extends surveillance and improve navigational accuracy that will lead to, reductions in separation between aircraft, allowing for increased airspace capacity and achieve reduced flight operating costs and delays.