NAIA gas depot moved to safe distance

Airport authorities stopped yesterday the delivery of aviation gas within the Ninoy Aquino International Airport complex and moved its storage depot to the end of Runway 24 as part of additional security measures set in place at the NAIA.

Airport General Manager Edgardo Manda said that the Manila International Airport Authority has decided to construct a new oil depot which will be located within a safe distance from the aircraft parking zone.

The additional security measure was implemented in the wake of renewed fears that the present oil depot, which is located a few meters away from the parking area of airplanes, was too vulnerable to sabotage attacks.

Manda noted that aviation gas stored at the airport facility is good for a two-day supply and expressed fears that a hijacked airplane crashed into it could result in a catastrophe similar to what happened at the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington.

Last December, a huge explosion believed to be planted by supporters of the Abu Sayyaf terrorist group leveled one of the airport’s bonded warehouses but miraculously spared the oil depot which was separated only by steel wires.

The transfer is similar to measures being done at the Pandacan oil depot in Manila which will soon be moved to a place away from residential houses.

Part of the airport management’s measures to sanitize the airport premises was removal of the VIP and media parking areas that are located adjacent to the NAIA Terminal 1 terminal building.

Manda also banned media coverage inside the NAIA. He said that the ban was imposed to ensure the safety of all passengers and airport users at the NAIA.

Corollary to the ban was the suspension on the issuance of access passes to all persons who wish to enter the terminal.