DOTr launches P1.1 billion upgraded NAIA taxiway

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr), through the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), yesterday inaugurated the newly repaired and upgraded P1.1-billion taxiway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade led the inauguration of NAIA’s Taxiway Charlie Phase 2.

The DOTr said the newly upgraded taxiway would enable smoother and faster maneuvering for large aircraft, like the Boeing 777, en route to the parking bay or the main runway.

NAIA now joins the ranks of its neighbor airports with concrete taxiway pavements, according to the DOTr.

“The unsolicited proposal may not have continued, but it did not stop us from pursuing improvements,” Tugade said, referring to the unsolicited offers previously submitted by private groups for NAIA’s rehabilitation and expansion.

“The DOTr and MIAA would like to achieve the reality that indeed during the term of President Duterte this country and our people will experience and realize the golden age of infrastructure,” he said.

With the completion of the repair and upgrade of the taxiways, the MIAA said the airport is ready to serve the maximum flight frequencies possible since the country is opening up to more international travel as the pandemic situation improves.

By making aircraft movement from the runway to the tarmac faster, the MIAA said the airport is now capable of accommodating more arrivals and departures per day.

Prior to the pandemic, the MIAA said aircraft traffic on the ground affected landing and take-off time as many aircraft line up to take off and land.

With air traffic slowing down in the past year due to the pandemic, the MIAA said it shifted into high gear with the airside facilities upgrade.