CAAP chief: Give me time to institute reforms

MANILA, Philippines - Newly-installed Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) director general William Hotchkiss III on Monday said he needs time to assess the pressing issues facing CAAP before he can make a timetable for the country to regain its Category I status with the United States’ Federal Aviation Authority (US FAA).

Hotchkiss, a former commanding general of the Philippine Air Force (PAF), said security operations are not new to him but he needs time to institute reforms at the agency.

“Give me time. I’m just new in the job,” Hotchkiss told reporters when he was presented to media by Transportation and Communications Secretary Manuel Roxas.

Roxas lauded Hotchkiss for putting in place a coordinated arrival slotting system (CASS) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) that eased traffic congestion at the airport runway. Hotchkiss replaced Ramon Gutierrez as CAAP chief.

The US FAA downgraded the Philippines to Category II status in 2007 due to deficiencies in the country’s civil aviation system.