Ex-airline execs take over CAAP

FORMER local airline executives, led by Capt. Antonio Buendia, have taken over the leadership of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

Buendia, formerly president of the Philippine Aerospace Development Corp. and Asian Spirit, will take the reigns of the agency from former Air Force commanding general William Hotchkiss III, under whose leadership international restrictions on Philippine aviation were lifted.

“Coming from the aviation industry, Director General Buendia knows what is needed to sustain and even to propel the industry forward and farther,” Hotchkiss said, referring to Buendia’s 43 years of civil aviation experience.

Apart from Buendia, also named in new posts are Capt. Jim Sydiongco as CAAP deputy director general for operations; Capt. Manuel Antonio Tamayo as deputy director general for administration; Capt. Donaldo Mendoza as assistant director general II for the Flight Standard Inspectorate Service; Capt. Ma. Aurora Carandang-Gloria as head executive assistant; and Gil Macapagal as chief of staff. Jeannette I. Andrade