THE 40-member Airline Operators Council (AOC) made a courtesy call on the newly installed Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) Director General Capt. Antonio C. Buendia Jr. last Tuesday.
The AOC members met with Buendia and other Caap officials to discuss ways to improve operational concerns of their members, especially at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
“The dialogue was very productive. It is vital for the Caap to maintain a close coordination and collaboration with stakeholders in the aviation industry,” Buendia said.
“The Caap can only ensure safe and secure skies with the cooperation of our aviation stakeholders and partners.”
Headed by AOC Chairman Girlie Robles of Qatar Airways and Asean AOC Chairman Onie Nakpil, the group said they are extremely happy with the results of their meeting where airline concerns were put on the table and given immediate action by the current team of aviation regulators.
Nakpil said the AOC is happy on the new development and changes being implemented by the new Caap management. He said airlines’ concerns, like application of special flight during working days, would now be trimmed down to three working days from the previous five-day regulatory time. Airlines can now even file their requests on weekends with a 24-hour approval time.
The AOC is comprised of members from international and domestic airlines, low-cost carriers and ground handlers.
Other safety issues were immediately addressed and given special attention by the new team of aviation regulators.