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MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Tuesday said it welcomes a Senate investigation of the recent hiccup in the nation’s air traffic control system, which delayed or canceled hundreds of domestic and international flights on New Year’s Day.
CAAP Deputy Director General Edgardo Diaz said they are willing to talk about the matter with senators and will cooperate in the probe.
“Kami ay nakahanda, we welcome all the inquiries na gagawin ng anumang sektor ng ating gobyerno, mapa-Senado o sa ating mga kasamahan sa gobyerno,” he said in a public briefing.
(We are ready. We welcome all the inquiries that any branch of government will conduct, may it be in the Senate or other agencies in the government.)
READ: Senate probe into New Year’s Day PH air traffic snag sought
“Open kami diyan, we are willing to talk with them and to show them whatever they want. So nakahanda tayo diyan at wine-welcome natin ‘yan,” he added.
(We are open to that. We are willing to talk with them and show them whatever they want. We are ready and we welcome that.)
READ: Senate to conduct inquiry on air traffic control system glitch
At least 56,000 travelers were affected when 361 flights to and from Manila were either canceled, diverted, or delayed on January 1 after power outages supposedly downed air navigation facilities of the CAAP.
The power outage resulted in the loss of communication, radio, radar and internet at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
READ: Naia power outage, tech glitch shut PH airspace
Diaz said CAAP distributed “malasakit” kits to help affected passengers and also instructed airlines or port managers to assist travelers.
The CAAP is likewise continuously coordinating with airlines which, Diaz said, have individual plans to resume canceled flights to ensure safety and to lessen the burden on passengers.
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