DMIA prepares for more flight diversion

Transportation and Communication Secretary Jose De Jesus has ordered Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President and CEO Victor Jose Luciano to prepare to accommodate more diversion of international and domestic flights at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA).

The order came after the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) encountered navigational problems which forced flights to divert to DMIA.

NAIA recently suffered setbacks due to the aging navigational equipment and runway visibility problems due to the worsening of pollutions in Metro Manila that prompted airport officials to divert international and domestic flights at DMIA in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

De Jesus told Luciano that DMIA must be ready anytime to accommodate more air carriers that would be diverted to Clark and prepare the needs of the passengers such as hotel accommodations and transportation service to Manila .

Luciano said that DMIA is ready anytime and well prepared to accommodate the influx of diversion of flights, adding that the aircrafts are safe to land in the area.

The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) issued Memorandum Circular No. 62 enjoining all air carriers operating scheduled services in the Philippines to ensure the comfort and convenience of passengers during long delays through the provision of adequate food, water and personal necessities.

CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla said the circular is based on the general obligation of air carriers, as public policies, pending the formulation, finalization and adoption of a more specific and comprehensive set of rules that shall deal with the matter, in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Code.

Luciano said that DOTC will require airlines to give food and water to passengers during long delays.

The air carriers would be required to submit a Contingency Plan for long tarmac delays for its scheduled flights.

“DMIA is very much capable to handle diverted flights,” Luciano said as he assured the safety of the passengers.

De Jesus recently led an inter-agency meeting composed of representatives of NAIA, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Civil Aviation Board (CAB), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and CIAC headed by Luciano where they discussed the adoption of the CAB Policy to formulate Rules and Procedures dealing with airline passenger protection during long tarmac delays.

The CAB Policy was patterned before the United States to make safer regulations for air carriers during times of disaster and emergency.

These sets the conduct of regular consultation meetings with stakeholders, consumer groups, the CAAP, airport authorities, the DTI and other interested parties that shall culminate in a public hearing geared towards the finalization and adoption of such Rules and Procedures in compliance with the requirements of the Administrative code.

Arcilla said a Preliminary Conference is slated on July 27, 2010 at the CAB Board Room to discuss the Rules and Procedures on the Protection of Airlines Passengers During Long Tarmac Delays.

The CIAC management had already met with various ground handlers at DMIA for them to ready their equipment and services anytime to accommodate the needs of air carriers including passengers that would be diverted at DMIA. Rendy Isip