Tycoon and New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) president Ramon S. Ang has proposed relocating general aviation to Lipa, Batangas, according to insiders.
This is a potential game changer in SMC’s sprawling rehabilitation efforts at country’s aging primary gateway.
Expanding passenger terminals is one thing, but without a corresponding increase in flights, NAIA’s full potential won’t be realized.
A careful study of NNIC’s planned terminal expansion shows overlaps with existing general aviation facilities at NAIA and even parts of land owned by Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp.
General aviation refers to civilian, non-commercial flights such as private and chartered flights.
Based on one estimate, reducing general aviation trips could make room for 20 additional wide-body flights per day.
Of course, this will require thorough study and proper consultations with all stakeholders.
Ang, who flies private, is willing to give up these perks in NAIA so it’s possible others might be persuaded that the benefits for all outweigh the drawbacks.
The added bonus of additional flights is the potential to attract more airlines, with Air India very eager to launch direct flights to Manila.
Interestingly, a domestic legacy carrier previously studied this promising market but ultimately decided not to pursue trips on concerns that heavy air pollution in major Indian cities might increase their aircraft maintenance costs.
One airline’s pollution worry, it seems, could be another’s treasure.
Miguel R. Camus has been a reporter covering various domestic business topics since 2009.
