The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) has announced the impending integration of its Area Control Center (ACC) and Air Traffic Management (ATM) system with Clark air traffic operations.
“This is an initial test, after which some of the country’s distinct and separate Approach Control Center would be under the Area Control Center-CNS/ATM [communication, navigation system/air traffic management],” the Caap source said.
The P13-billion endeavor, which has suffered numerous delays, is finally set to be inaugurated by December.
This early, the Caap said, it will issue a notice to airmen (Notam), requesting the local air carriers to reduce arriving flights starting November 15.
“This is the first time the new ATM would be integrated with Clark so there would be adjustments as air traffic controllers try to [fine-tune the system],” the Caap said.
The state-of-the-art, cutting-edge technology, was initially inaugurated by President Duterte last January.
The Caap said the system has been undergoing evaluation and testing for months before it was deemed completely safe to operate on its own.
The Caap would then junk the old and breakdown-prone radar system that has been in use for decades.
“The CNS/ATM would be made operational before the end of the year,” the Caap source said.
The satellite-based system promises better air traffic flow and space management, which will optimize airport capacity, thus reducing congestion.
“The efficient use of airspace would minimize delays by helping aircraft operators meet their departure and arrival schedules,” the Caap source added.
The CNS/ATM project started in 2009 but, due to delay in construction and other issues, it did not hit its target completion in 2016.
When Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade took over in 2016, there were only three radars covering the entire country; one at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport; one at Clark International Airport and the other in Tagaytay. The whole set up covers only 30 percent of the Philippine airspace.
Today, under the new scheme, there are 13 radars and a radar satellite link that provides 100-percent coverage of the entire Philippine airspace, the Caap said.
In response to the government’s request for airlines to reduce their flights as part of the transition phase, Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific have canceled several flights within the month of November.
“PAL will cancel some 72 domestic flights from November 15 to 20, 2018 and 46 international flights from November 14 to 18 2018,” according to PAL Spokesman Cielo Villaluna.
She said affected passengers who have provided their e-mail addresses when they booked their original flights will receive notifications of cancellation.
“We are advising affected passengers to rebook their flights within 30 days from original travel date; rebooking fees will be waived. Other options available are rerouting and refunding.”
Villaluna also advised affected passengers to call PAL Hotline (02) 855-8888 for the rebooking of their tickets.
PAL said it will post periodic updates, as needed, on its Official PAL Facebook Page and on its web site www.philippineairlines.com.
Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific has also announced adjustments of their flight schedules “in line with operational requirements from 12 a.m. to 6 a.m. from November 12 to 17, and 19 to 22, 2018.”
“We are seeking the understanding and cooperation of our passengers as we carry out these operational adjustments in support of the transition period toward the full modernization of our country’s air navigational system,” Pal and CEB said in separate statements.