Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) is recommending the construction of a new secondary parallel runway at Clark International Airport (CRK) as an immediate solution to absorb the adverse impact of emergency incidents at congested Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
“Clark needs a new secondary parallel runway positioned to allow simultaneous take-offs and landings to easily decongest the overcrowded NAIA pending the construction of proposed airports either in Bulacan or in Cavite,” CIAC president Alexander Cauguiran said during a recent Lower House Committee on Transportation hearing.
The hearing tackled the recent NAIA runway mishap brought about by the failed landing of a Xiamen Airlines plane that caused severe at the Philippines’ main aviation gateway and led to the cancellation and diversion of several flights. A total of 43 flights were diverted to CRK from NAIA because of the stalled Xiamen aircraft.
“This (new runway) has been my long-time proposition, a quick answer to address runway congestion or closure in Manila especially in times of emergencies. This will hugely augment the ongoing construction of Clark’s Terminal 2 with eight to 10 million annual passenger capacity,” Cauguiran added.
The CIAC executive in a statement said committee chairman and Catanduanes representative Cesar Sarmiento “supported in principle” the proposed building of a new runway at CRK.
“Even the deputy speaker committed to assist us in seeking budget appropriation,” Cauguiran said, referring to Surigao Del Sur first district representative Prospero Pichay, Jr., who asked resource persons during the hearing about the estimated cost of building a new runway.
Based on CIAC studies, a new secondary parallel runway will cost the government around P2.5 billion, including navigational aids and equipment.
