Senate starts probe into New Year’s Day air traffic control system collapse

INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate began Thursday its investigation into the airport debacle that stalled New Year’s Day flight travel.

The air traffic control system collapse that inconvenienced at least 65,000 passengers at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), will be investigated by a public inquiry facilitated by Senator Grace Poe’s committee of the committee on public services.

The conduct of the probe is likewise for “two other measures that can prevent similar incidents happening by strengthening CAAP (Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines) and establishing an independent transportation safety board.”

READ: Senate sets hearing on PH air traffic management system glitch — Poe

“Accountability is, of course, important to prevent a repeat of the fiasco, but public safety and interest will always come first so the hearing will focus on that,” Poe said in a text message to INQUIRER.net.

“For the factual probe, we will validate the real cause of the air traffic glitch which happened last January 1, why all the supposed contingencies failed, and how we can prevent it moving forward,” she added.

On January 1, Philippine airspace was in shambles as a supposed power outage downed the Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance Systems of the CAAP, which manages Naia.

READ: Naia power outage, tech glitch shut PH airspace

For Poe, CAAP is “almost 100 percent responsible” for the airport meltdown as it is the agency that operates commercial air traffic.

“We anticipate a highly technical discussion, so we also invited experts like the supplier of the airport equipment, former transportation and airport officials, electrical engineers, and airline associations that can help us vet the technical matters,” she also said in the text message.

READ: Airport authorities told to attend to stranded passengers amid flight control glitch

In her opening statement, Poe noted that different causes were given on why the air traffic control catastrophe occurred – such as a technical glitch, disrupted Uninterrupted Power Supply, outdated air traffic navigation system, over voltage, and faulty circuit breaker.

The senator likewise emphasized on the impact of the airport shutdown, citing a simulation of a social media user.

“The latest published tally of affected passengers is at 65,000. It could’ve been more than that. If we estimate a $500 cost for each passenger in aborted flights and in transit, wasted fuel, accommodation, food, rebooking, lost time, lost baggage, staffing, overtime wages, emotional damages, etcetera – that would easily be $30-40 million in impact,” Poe said.

“The domino effect is massive and chaotic. Hindi ko na iisa-isahin pa ang mga (I won’t enumerate one-by-one the) horror stories. I’m sure our airport officials and air carriers have heard enough,” she added.

Six senators have filed separate resolutions calling for an inquiry into the unfortunate event that some saw could be a matter of national security.

KGA/abc