Project reducing airport ground traffic nearly done

A P452-MILLION project to decongest aircraft ground traffic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) is set to be completed by the end of the month.

Apart from the construction of a taxiway extension, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) was looking to construct two more rapid exit taxiways (RETs) to further reduce the time an aircraft occupies the runway, often resulting in flight delays.

A taxiway is basically an aircraft road that connects runways to aprons and terminals in an airport. On the other hand, RETs allow planes to leave the runway quickly, at speeds of 65 kph to 93 kph, to give way for the takeoff or landing of other aircraft.

According to MIAA Assistant General Manager for Operations Ricardo Medalla Jr. the projects would not be affected by a possible transition of the Naia to a public-private partnership.

Medalla said that the project for the taxiway 640-meter extension which started in November last year was 76-percent complete and was expected to be finished by Oct. 31.

The existing taxiway in front of the Naia Terminal 3 apron is currently 1,500 meters long.

Medalla pointed out that the project was aimed at decongesting the taxiway, specifically where Naia runways 06/24 and 13/31 intersect, as well as ease the ground handling activities of international aircraft operations.

Likewise, he said, plans to construct two RETs—20,708 sqm and 12,890 sqm on the west and east sides of primary runway 06/24—would “further minimize runway occupancy time of aircraft.”

Medalla said that the P300-million construction next year of two additional RETs at the Naia would double the number of flight events per hour on the runway. The project is expected to be completed in 2017.