(Eagle News)–The Department of Transportation is targeting the full relocation of domestic operations from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in a year’s time.
In a statement, the DOTr said the airlines involved will be notified to make the transfer to Sangley and Clark airports to “free up space in the four terminals of the NAIA to allow for improvements and additions in the main gateway.”
The DOTr said domestic airlines already agreed to the proposal in a meeting with government representatives on Thursday, June 13.
“This is a solid demonstration of their trust and confidence in the administration of President Duterte,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said.
According to Tugade, the airlines will also sign a Pledge of Commitment and Support on June 24 as a manifestation of cooperation with the government’s move to address aviation concerns holistically.
Tugade noted in a radio interview that a “basket of approaches” was needed to decongest the four terminals of NAIA.
“We have to have a basket of approaches, hindi iisang solusyon lang dahil talagang napakaraming pasahero,” he had said.
Earlier this week, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the immediate transfer of general aviation and domestic operations to Sangley airport.
This was hours after the President made a surprise inspection at NAIA, which had been the receiving end of complaints of flight delays and cancellations.
