4 airports 'no fly zone' during Obama visit

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - The government today announced that it has designated four airports in northern Philippines, including the Ninoy Aquino International Airport ( NAIA), as "no fly zone" for a prescribed period between the arrival and departure of US President Barack Obama.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said general aviation aircraft like business jets, flight training, fish run and food run, will not be allowed to fly within a certain period on Monday, when Obama is expected to arrive from Malaysia at 1:30 p.m. and on Tuesday, when he leaves for Washington D.C.

"Aircraft arriving/departing NAIA on those dates will encounter delays due to special operations," said CAAP Deputy Director General Capt. John Andrews.

Aside from NAIA, CAAP said the airports in Sangley in Cavite province, Lipa in Batangas province, and San Ildefonso in Bulacan province have also been designated as "no fly zone."

CAAP said the move is part of security measures being implemented by the Philippine government in line with the two-day state visit of Obama.

The Philippines is the last leg of Obama's four-nation Asia trip. Obama is currently in South Korea after visiting Japan.