Philippine airport authorities have barred general aviation operations and aerial works at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) during peak hours to help decongest the country’s main gateway.
The new rule is contained in Joint Memorandum Order No. 2016-01 signed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Civil Aeronautics Board, and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on July 28.
CAAP said it was prohibiting general aviation operations and aerial works in Manila during peak hours to “promote safety and efficiency in air transport services.”
It defined general aviation operation as civil aircraft operation other than commercial air transport. Aerial work refers to a specialized aircraft operation related to agricultural work, construction projects, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, and aerial advertisement.
CAAP said NAIA’s limited airport runway infrastructure compels the government to prevent its use by general aviation and aerial works from “12 p.m. to 7 p.m. except for helicopter operations, medical evacuations and aircraft for emergency.”
General aviation operations and aerial works are limited to “two cycles per hour from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. local time daily.”
CAAP said the number of aircraft movements that may safely operate by the hour at the NAIA runway is currently set at 40 slots in and out of Manila.
Violators face penalties under Republic Act No. 9497 (Civil Aviation Act of 2008) and Executive Order No. 778 series of 1982, as amended, which created MIAA.
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