Construct parallel runway at Naia to ease flight congestion

Congestion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) cannot be solved with the construction of buildings because there is only one international runway.

The domestic runway is limited in flights.A possible solution is the construction of a parallel runway which was planned a long time ago. However, it should comply with the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization because ICAO requires parallel runway centerline separation of 1,311 meters.

On a case-by-case basis, the Federal Aviation Administration will consider proposals utilizing separations down to a minimum of 914 meters from the center line which is not feasible at Naia because of its size. There is a solution to that. During the past administration, the Department of Transportation-Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) approved the construction of a parallel runway at Mactan-Cebu International Airport, albeit below the ICAO standard.

That being the case, we can construct a parallel runway at Naia as CAAP has already approved the substandard parallel runaway at Mactan-Cebu International Airport. The construction of new terminal buildings will be a convenience to passengers but delays of flights will continue because of a single international runway.

Daniel Dimagiba