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The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) on Thursday is expecting fewer flights affected with the shortening of duration of the May 17 maintenance works on the country’s air traffic management system (ATMS) from six hours to just two hours. Speaking at the Laging Handa public briefing, Caap spokesperson Eric Apolonio said that at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the country’s premier gateway, the corrective maintenance activity for the ATMS will be within the five-hour period when Runway 0624, used by international flights, will be also shut down for repairs. The new schedule for maintenance works on the ATMS on May 17 is 2 a.m. to 4 a.m., from the original 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. The shutdown of Runway 0624 is from 12:30 a.m. to 5:30 a.m. on the same day. Apolonio said that based on its report, Mactan-Cebu International Airport will not have flight disruptions. Clark International Airport, on the other hand, said four international flights will be affected. Of the major airlines, he said AirAsia Philippines has so far given notice about 12 flights affected. Passengers of flights canceled or delayed by shutdown of the ATMS during the maintenance work should contact their airlines for rebooking procedures, he said. —JEROME ANING