Gulf Air to file complaint with ATO over air traffic mess at DMIA

Middle East Asian carrier Gulf Air announced yesterday it would make a formal complaint denouncing the unceremonious diversion of their Manila-bound flight from Dubai to the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport (DMIA) in Clark, Pampanga due to the closing of the NAIA runway for the private jet landing and takeoff of flights bearing President Arroyo.

The President on Wednesday attended the wedding of House Majority Leader Prospero Nograles’ son Karlo in Davao.

Leoncio Dakila "Onie" Nakpil II, Airline Operators Council-Manila chairman and an official of Gulf Air Philippines, said that the diversion of Gulf Air GF 154 to DMIA in Clark had seriously endangered the lives of its 213 passengers.

Nakpil said he would make the complaint against the air traffic controllers of the Air Transportation Office (ATO) who had refused to give GF 154 priority clearance to land despite knowing that the aircraft was already running low on fuel because it had been hovering around NAIA airspace for several minutes.

"Granting that the runway had to be closed for several minutes for the passage of the aircraft bearing the President, air traffic controllers should have given GF 154 priority to land since its pilot had already advised the Manila Air Control Tower about the critical status of its fuel," Nakpil said.

"They did not give priority to land for GF 154, and even put it as sixth in line to land at the NAIA forcing our pilot to divert to Clark," he added.

Earlier, NAIA insiders defended the closure of the runway for landing and takeoffs for 30 minutes to give way to presidential flights, saying it is a usual security measure, observed for the safety of the President.