AsBAA in Action-February AsBAA in Action-February | Page 13

SOUTHEAST ASIA
Philippines - Since the establishment of
the AsBAA Philippine Chapter in 2017, the
local team has been actively representing the
membership to improve the operational
climate. A major part of this work extends to
supporting the local authorities in reference
to the establishment of new business
aviation infrastructure.
In January, the Chapter led a delegation of
its members on a site visit and investment
trip to the Philippines. At the two-day event,
18 members of AsBAA were given an
audience with various Philippine airport and
freeport authorities, regulators, and local
stakeholders of the Business and General
Aviation community.  At the meeting, AsBAA
and its members met with high-level government representatives, including Mr. Jose De Jesus and Mr. Noel Manankil, Chairman and
President of the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), respectively, Mr. Alexander Cauguiran, President of Clark International Airport
Corporation (CIAC), and Ms. Wilma Eisma, Chair of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA).
In addition to ascertaining opportunities for future
infrastructure development, a key objective of the trip was
to work with the authorities to find workable solutions to
the current congestion issues in Manila. A joint meeting
was held by AsBAA with the Manila International Airport
Authority (MIAA) and Civil Aviation Authority of the
Philippines (CAAP) in which both bodies recognised the
congestion issues at NAIA and the need to look for
alternative locations, which could include a redistribution
plan to Clark or Subic. Both locations were also noted to
be better situated to withstand earthquakes and flooding.
While this exploratory phase for new facilities continues, AsBAA members were also provided with updates on the current situation for
BA/GA in Manila. The situation at NAIA remains congested, with 40 movements per hour, two of which are available for BA/GA use
(priority given to commercial airlines). The authorities have pledged to put in place short and mid-term solutions while longer-term
development discussions are underway. From mid-April 2018, this will include an additional two movements per hour added as a
result of the expansion of the rapid exit taxiways. A new country-wide communication navigation surveillance and air traffic
management system has also been recently introduced to improve overall operational efficiency. CAAP expressed to AsBAA and its
delegates at the meeting that it is interested to hear about international industry-specific standards, e.g., IS-BAO, to better regulate
GA/BA operations.