CEZA fields logistics-hub bid for northern Luzon airport

THE Cagayan Economic Zone Authority (CEZA) said it has received an unsolicited proposal to convert the Cagayan North International Airport (CNIA) into a logistics aviation hub.

The proponent, a consortium known as the Cagayan Business Aviation Center, consists of the Subic Bay Business Aviation Center — formerly the AIA International Flight Support and Services — and US-based National Standard Finance and Thailand’s Mahanakon Partners Group., Co., Ltd.

CEZA said the proposal covers aviation services, a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility; an airline crew training center; and facilities for a general aviation or regional corporate jet charter service and an inter- island commuter airline service.

The consortium hopes to make CNIA a one-stop aviation hub “with interdependent revenue generating assets to meet the demands of the aviation industry.”

“This proposed high-tech airport facility will be the first of its kind in the country and will comprise interdependent projects using state-of-the-art aerospace technology,” Raul L. Lambino, administrator and CEO of the CEZA said in a statement on Monday.

The agency also signed a memorandum of understanding with Malaysian companies Iris Corp. Bhd. and Positive Paragon Sdn. Bhd., which are offering airport management services for CNIA.

The Malaysian companies proposed to set up electronic systems like work stations, passport and travel card readers and e-gates, among others.

CNIA is scheduled to receive its first overseas commercial aircraft from Macau in a few weeks. Mr. Lambino also noted that domestic airline Cebu Pacific is set launch a service between Manila and Lal-lo, Cagayan soon.

The CNIA in Lal- lo has fulfilled the requirements for an aerodrome certification from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines. This will allow the airport to operate commercial flights from the most common types of single- aisle commercial aircraft like the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737. —