No special treatment for presidential flights

MANILA, Philippines - Presidential flights will no longer receive “special treatment” and will instead be expected to queue along with regular flights for take-offs and landings in all airports, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said yesterday.

CAAP director general Antonio Buendia Jr. has issued a memorandum order suspending all quasi-emergency procedures during the take-offs and landings of Kalayaan flights pursuant to a directive by President Rodrido Duterte himself.

 The order was addressed to all chiefs of facilities and airport managers and shall take effect immediately.

To recall, President Duterte earlier shunned the VIP treatment usually given to the president of the republic at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

During the first cabinet meeting held last June 30, President Duterte also ordered the Department of Transportation to advise the CAAP to change the policy prioritizing the presidential plane for take-offs and landings.

 He, instead, preferred the presidential plane to queue in the same manner as regular flights.

On another matter, Buendia said the CAAP has temporarily suspended memo circular 02, which prescribes the requirements needed by air cargo providers engaged in the shipment of Dangerous Goods by Air to secure accreditation from the agency.

Buendia said the suspension was done in response to grievances and complaints received by the agency due to delays in securing accreditation permits.

He said another set of guidelines governing the safe carriage by air of dangerous goods, such as batteries, electronics and flammable materials, would be issued after an immediate review and public consultation on the existing rules and regulations.

CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the amended guidelines aim to streamline and fasttrack the process of accreditation.