Govt to finish repair of Naia main runway ahead of schedule

AIRPORT authorities said on Sunday that the repair and overlay of international runway 06/24, the main runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia), will see completion on March 15.

“I am glad that we are completing the project way ahead of its original schedule, which is July 2019, just in time for the expected peak this summer,” said Miaa General Manager Ed Monreal.

The project, which costs P704 million, has two main components, the civil works and electrical phases.

The civil works package involves repair of runway pavement with a total asphalt overlay length of 3,697 meters and 60 meters wide; repair and asphalt overlay mixed with antirutting additive on the approach portions of taxiway exits; and restoration of runway pavement markings.

The electrical phase consists of removal, resurfacing and reinstallation of affected airfield lights,includingrunwaycenterlights,curvature lights,thresholdlights,sequenceflashinglights at runway 06/24 and connecting taxiways.

On a daily basis, Naia’s main runway observes maintenance closure from 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. for derubberizing, degreasing and small repairs when needed.

“Runway surface maintenance such as these are done to maximize friction for wheel braking and, more importantly, as a safety standard,” Monreal said.

“Any activity that would require longer closure hours is covered by a Notice to Airmen [Notam], which is issued in advance to pilots and airline operators through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines,” he added.

Advance notices are circulated through Notams so that the airlines can adjust their schedules accordingly.

Crucial airport closures and other activities are done with the knowledge of airline operators.