Clark airport needs secondary runway
CLARK FREEPORT — Clark International Airport needs a secondary runway that will be used during emergencies, an airport official sai d .
Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) President Alex Cauguiran said the construction of a new parallel runway at Clark may be the immediate solution to absorb the adverse impact of incidents at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
“Clark needs a new secondary parallel runway positioned to allow simultaneous takeoffs and landings to easily decongest the overcrowded NAIA pending the construction of proposed airports either in Bulacan or in Cavite,” Cauguiran said.
“This (new runway) has been my long time proposition, a quick answer to address runway congestion or closure in Manila especially in times of emergencies. This will hugely augment the ongoing construction of Clark’s Terminal 2 with eight to ten million annual passenger capacity,” he added.
He said committee chairman Representative Cesar Sarmiento of Catanduanes supported in principle the proposed building of a new runway in Clark.
“Even the deputy speaker committed to assist us in seeking budget appropriation,” the CIAC chief said, referring to Representative Prospero Pichay of Surigao del Sur, who asked resource persons during the hearing on the estimated cost of building a new runway.
Based on CIAC studies, a new secondary parallel runway will cost the government around P2.5 billion, including navigational aids and equipment.
The meeting zeroed in on the massive displacement of flights and passengers caused by the excursion of the Xiamen aircraft at NAIA’s runway 0624 last August 17 reportedly due to inclement weather.
A total of 43 flights were diverted to Clark because of the stalled aircraft in NAIA.
Airport personnel removed the stalled Xiamen Airlines after 36 hours.