Ex-Air Force chief elected aviation agency head

MANILA, Philippines – A former Air Force Commanding General has been “formally and unanimously” elected as head of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

“The Board of Directors of the CAAP formally and unanimously elected (Ret) Lt. Gen. William Hotchkiss III as director general of the Authority,” the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said in a statement Monday.

Hotchkiss was previously appointed by President Benigno Aquino III in the same position last June 20, 2012 to complete the term of CAAP Director General Ramon Gutierrez, who was sacked by Aquino.

“Hotchkiss brings to CAAP his comprehensive air operations experience and proven people management skills,” DOTC Secretary Manuel Roxas II said in the statement.

Roxas said that Hotchkiss is “a staunch advocate of discipline, good work ethic, and prioritizes safety in air flights, he fits the bill in overseeing the operations of CAAP.”

Among the problems that Hotchkiss will be expected to tackle are the congested runways of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport and the country’s upgrade to category one status from category two with the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), DOTC said.

“Good governance will be part of my agenda,” Hotchkiss said in the statement. “Air (security) operations are not new to me, but I need some time to fully understand the pressing issues facing CAAP before I can make the right decision to institute reforms.”

Hotchkiss served as the former Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) from November 30, 1996 to January 8 1999. He was responsible for managing more than 15,000 PAF military and civilian personnel to carry out the Force’s primary mission of securing the national air defense.