FLIGHT movement and air passenger safety at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are expected to significantly improve with the completion of the repair and upgrade works of its taxiways.

As of January 2022, the Department of Transportation (DOTr), together with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), have completed the repair and upgrade of 4 taxiways, with Taxiway Charlie officially inaugurated by DOTr Secretary Art Tugade Friday, February 25, 2022.

Taxiway Charlie is the main taxiway going to all the terminals of the airport. With the upgrading of the airside facility, aircraft movement from the runway to the tarmac will be faster and will allow the airport to accommodate more arrivals and departures per day.

In previous years, aircraft traffic on-ground affected the on-time performance of airlines as aircraft have to line up for take-offs and landings. Faster aircraft movement and improved ground efficiency were achieved with the immediate repair and upgrade works of the taxiways.

In his message, Transportation Sec. Art Tugade underscored the benefits of the project’s completion that will ultimately make air travel more comfortable and convenient for passengers and airline stakeholders.

“Sa pamamagitan nito, napapa-improve natin ‘yung tinatawag na take-off and landing. At higit sa lahat, kung ma-improve mo ‘yung take-off and landing, ‘yung slots – na noong mag-umpisa tayo ay nasa 34. Ngayon, bumabagtas tayo sa kuwarenta (40) at hangarin na hahabulin pa namin na maging kuwarenta’y kuwatro (44) at kuwarenta’y sais (46),” Secretary Tugade said.

The transportation chief likewise commended the efforts of MIAA General Manager (GM) Ed Monreal and all MIAA personnel for continuously carrying out developments for the country’s main gateway amid challenges and setbacks in the aviation industry.

MIAA GM Monreal recalled how the agency worked hard to complete the repair and upgrade of the runway, which was in a dismal state when they took over.

“Mahirap po magbalik-tanaw kasi noong inabutan namin ito ay lagi pong baku-bako. Ang guidance po sa amin ng ating mahal na Secretary ay gawin kung ano ang nararapat. Do what is right in spite of the challenges during this pandemic,” GM Monreal said.

He also thanked Tugade for his support and guidance that lead to the project’s completion.

“Kami po ay nagagalak at pinakita po namin sa iyo ang another milestone of our runway, which is the Taxiway Charlie. Sir, delivered po ang commitment namin,” GM Monreal said.

Also present at the inauguration was Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who noted that the development of various infrastructure projects in the country, including airport facilities, is vital to national security.

“It is for the betterment of the nation, mapapaganda ‘yung feeling ng mga pasahero papunta rito and of course, it redounds to the development and progress of the country,” Sec. Lorenzana, for his part, said.

The three-phase project includes the civil and electrical works for the repair and upgrading of taxiways Hotel-1 (H1), Charlie-1 (C1), Charlie-2 (C2), Charlie-3 (C3), Charlie-4 (C4), and Charlie-5 (C5).

Civil works include the repair and upgrading of the existing flexible pavement, the shoulder pavements, the crossing drainage, including the inlet and outlet manholes.

Meanwhile, electrical works cover all the affected taxiway lights connecting runway 06/24, taxiway center lights, curvature lights, and edge lights as well as the replacement of connecting conduits and cables.