Flights of small planes at NAIA restricted during APEC

MANILA, Philippines — The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued on Thursday notices to airmen restricting the flights of small planes operating at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for next week’s meeting of world leaders in Manila.
The CAAP restriction for general aviation (GenAv) aircraft takes effect from 6 a.m. of November 17 to 7 p.m. of November 20.

According to the NOTAM, operations areas within the 40-nautical-mile-radius of the NAIA are considered no-fly zones for GenAv planes, which include light cargo, privately-owned and training aircraft. The 40-nautical mile-radius covers the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC).

“GenAv operations outside the 40 nautical miles radius of NAIA shall be limited to local operations, excluding Clark and Subic International Airports,” CAAP said.

Only aircraft involved in APEC-related operations cleared by the APEC National Organizing Council and duly coordinated with the CAAPs operations and rescue coordination center as well as planes on emergency missions are exempted from the restriction.

The CAAP also declared a no-fly zone within two nautical miles of the PICC “due to special operations” from 10 a.m. of November 17 until 7 p.m. of November 20.

In the same period, take-off and landing restrictions will be in effect on the NAIA runways.

The CAAP also advised airline firms and NAIA passengers to expect flight delays due to special operations for the arrival and departure of APEC leaders starting midnight of November 15 until midnight of November 20.

Likewise airline operators were advised to load extra fuel on their aircraft during the period because of the security protocol giving priority to arriving and departing APEC leaders.  SFM