When we speak about airport infrastructure, we are talking about the essential physical components necessary to support runways and taxiways, terminals, maintenance hangers, access roads as well as control towers. It may not seem obvious to us but these components are key to the success of our airport systems in terms of safe and efficient air travel. All airlines, including cargo, all need safe and affordable infrastructure and understanding airport infrastructure is crucial for improving air traffic management and promoting safe passenger experience in busy airports across the world.
I do not really know much about aviation, more so airport infrastructure, but fortunately, I have been given a glimpse of this important component by friends who have had some experience in the industry in order to help me understand the bigger picture in terms of aviation to add to all my traveling and tourism experiences.
Most recently, President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., said that the government is committed to modernizing and expanding the country’s airport infrastructure, as improving connectivity leads to greater opportunities for Filipinos. The President said this during the inauguration of a new runway in Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA), which was part of the administration’s vision to enhance national infrastructure.
When you actually get to thinking about things, without the expansive machinery known as airport infrastructure, we would not really be able to appreciate or enjoy commercial aviation known to us today. There are many things that are needed in order for our airports to provide enough functional, safe and affordable infrastructure for all airlines and passengers, covering both hardware and more abstract systems that certainly include expensive tasks in both upkeep and upgrade of airport infrastructure.
I learned that one of the first questions asked in terms of payment for such projects – whether it is private or government – apparently varies around the world. I learned that government ownership is not surprising, considering how airports developed from military airfields and how expensive and critical they are to every country and industry. Even in the case of private ownership, there is significant government involvement. While I still need to delve further into this topic on ownerships, the President stressed that, in terms of our country’s advancement in infrastructure, the vision is deeply rooted in good governance and a commitment to uplift the lives of all Filipinos.
President Marcos indicated that the Aviation Infrastructure Program, which has allocated P7.7 billion for the upgrade of 15 airports nationwide, is an initiative that aims to modernize facilities, enhance connectivity and acquire state-of-the-art navigational equipment. “Through this program,” the President said, “we can construct, rehabilitate and enhance runways, taxiways, ramps, control towers, passenger terminals, while at the same time acquiring state-of-the-art navigational equipment.”
President Marcos also cited the role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in implementing airport projects. Marcos said that the signed concession agreements for the Bohol-Panglao International Airport and Laguindingan International Airport PPP projects aim to increase passenger capacity and improve facilities. In the end, there are solid reasons why airports should continue to develop their infrastructure capacity and airlines, passengers and cargo need safe, functional and affordable airport infrastructure for their operations to thrive.
On the other hand, good governance relates to the political and institutional processes and outcomes which are necessary in order to achieve the goals of development. The hope therefore essentially lies in ensuring that every building process is free of abuse and corruption and includes a deep regard for the rule of law – private, public or both.
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