Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — For some, delayed flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are the new norm.
According to data from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), an average of 150 to 200 flights are delayed every day due to air traffic congestion.
Officials admitted delayed flights were among the top passenger complaints.
The Transportation department enlisted British consultancy firm National Air Traffic Services (NATS) in August 2015 in a bid to help solve air traffic congestion at NAIA.
The one-year, P66-million project with NATS should have come up with recommendations by now — but the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said on Friday there’s still no word from the consultancy firm.
Retired Bgen. Rodante Joya, CAAP deputy director general, said the group conducted a study for capacity enhancement, but no further information was divulged.
“Ang alam ko lang ay nag-conduct sila ng study for capacity enhancement of NAIA. I’m not aware of any progress as of now,” Joya said.
[Translation: All I know is that they conducted a study for study for capacity enhancement of NAIA. I’m not aware of any progress as of now.]
Authorities said the next best thing would be strengthening the current Air Passenger Bill of Rights, as the CAB was already in the process of listing common excuses of airlines for flight delays so they could be held liable for the inconvenience.
But, while there are moves in Congress to pass an amended Air Passenger Bill of Rights, regulators claimed it’s best to keep it as an administrative order.
For CAB Legal Dvision Head Wyrlou Samodio, an administrative order would be more practical because amending the law would be a more critical and tedious task.
“Mahirap kasi baguhin ‘yung batas, eh. Mahaba ang proseso. Kung admin regulation siya, anytime mababago mo siya. Kumbaga nakita mo na ‘yung need para baguhin siya, magagawa mo kaagad, eh,” Samodio said.
[Translation: It’s difficult to amend the law since it will be a tedious process. If it’s an admin regulation, then anytime it could be change. It’s as though, if you see the need to change it, you can immediately change it.]
Authorities said there have been improvements in the air traffic management system and personnel training in the past years. However, big-ticket projects, like larger airport terminals and runways at NAIA, are likely to be passed on to the next administration.
