Sangley Point in Cavite. | PHOTO FROM CAVITE.GOV.PH

To help decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), airline companies have agreed to use the Sangley airport in Cavite province and Clark airport in Pampanga for general aviation and turboprop operations.

“Airlines expressed their willingness and commitment to support the government’s thrust to utilize Sangley airport,” Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said following last week’s meeting.

Present during the meeting were Manila International Airport Authority General Manager Ed Monreal, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines Director General Jim Sydiongco, Civil Aeronautics Board Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla, Michael Tan of Philippine Airlines, Lance Gokongwei of Cebu Pacific, and Capt. Dexter Comendador of AirAsia.

General aviation users will be informed within a year of their transfer to Clark International Airport in Pampanga and Sangley airport to alleviate airport traffic in the four terminals of NAIA.

General aviation is the terms used to include all civil aviation operations with the exception of commercial air transport or aerial work, involving light aircraft, business, and private jets or helicopters.

On orders of President Duterte, Tugade has imposed 24/7 construction work at Sangley airport, a former US naval station, to ensure that operations will commence in November. (JojoMangahis/PacificTimes)