THE Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is set to receive P2.8 billion in fresh funding for the upgrading of its aviation infrastructure, including P1.2 billion for the procurement of a new Communications, Navigation and Surveillance-Air Traffic Management (CNS-ATM) System, Makati City Rep. Luis Campos Jr. said on Sunday.
The initial P1.2 billion for the acquisition of a new CNS-ATM system is among the items in the 2024 aviation infrastructure budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), according to Campos, vice chairperson of the House committee on appropriations.
“We are counting on the new CNS-ATM system to optimize airspace and airport efficiency, reduce flight delays, and improve travel experience,” Campos said.
“Our hopes are high that the new system, once installed and fully functional, could potentially increase airport capacity to accommodate more flights in the years ahead,” Campos said.
The New Year’s Day breakdown of NAIA’s CNS-ATM system, which does not have an independent backup, disrupted more than 300 international and domestic flights in and out of Manila, and left thousands of travelers stranded.
Under the government’s 2024 National Expenditure Program, the DOTr has a total of P6.1 billion for the construction of various airports and navigational facilities. The amount is double this year’s P3.1 billion.
Besides NAIA, Campos said the following airports are also expected to receive infrastructure development funding in 2024:
· Kalibo International Airport (P581 million);
· Laoag International Airport (P500 million);
· Tacloban Airport (P500 million);
· New Dumaguete Airport (P500 million);
· Busuanga Airport (P405 million);
· New Zamboanga International Airport (P300 million);
· New Manila International Airport (P200 million);
· Bukidnon Airport (P120 million); and
· New Bohol Airport (P97 million).
“We are completely in favor of the increased government spending to build up our airports ahead of the projected full recovery of global air travel by 2025,” Campos said.
