ILOILO – Ongoing runway repairs at the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan town have unsettled some passengers who fear the works could cause flight delays and cancellations.
But the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) gave firm assurance that the maintenance activities are tightly managed and will not disrupt operations.
Arthur Parreño, the Iloilo airport terminal supervisor for CAAP, said the works are carefully timed so travelers will not be affected.
“No. We do repairs during window time, very early in the morning, in order not to hamper, or disturb the schedule of flights,” he told Panay News in a phone interview.
According to him, the repairs target minor cracks on the runway to preserve its safety and extend its lifespan.
“It is only relative to the on-going repair of the runway, it has long been finished, tapos na ‘yung iba. Pero, we do that (repairs and maintenance) very early in the morning,” Parreño said.
He also clarified that the work is not about accommodating larger planes but about preventing small defects from escalating.
“The repair of these cracks is necessary to prevent them from becoming larger and potentially problematic,” he explained. “No. Gina-repair lang namon ang cracks na we don’t want mag dako.”
CAAP emphasized that a Business Continuity Plan is in place to guarantee smooth operations.
“We do the repairs and maintenance during the hours early in the morning as there’s no disruption. It doesn’t affect the flights. No disruption of flights. We have a Business Continuity Plan so as not to disrupt the line operations,” Parreño said.
In addition, contingency measures are prepared. Parreño revealed that even the possible use of an Airbus A320 from Cebu Pacific was studied.
“There was a plan to use Airbus A320 with the Cebu Pacific. Well, we subject that to some sort of risk assessment and until now wala pa mag gwa (ang result),” he pointed out.
Last June, CAAP confirmed two Iloilo International Airport development initiatives worth over P190 million aligned with the Marcos administration’s “Build Better More” infrastructure push.
The first project, costing P132.90 million, centers on the rehabilitation of the Passenger Terminal Building (PTB). This includes civil and structural work, roof and fascia cleaning, tile and ceiling replacement, painting, waterproofing, and improvements to mechanical and electrical systems such as air-conditioning units, lighting, and fire alarms.
Upgrades also cover toilets, windows, escalators, elevators, and the passenger boarding bridge.
The second project, worth P37.55 million, involves the installation and commissioning of three new 600 KW chillers, including all necessary civil, structural, mechanical, and electrical works to ensure reliable temperature control inside the terminal.
Currently, the Iloilo airport terminal can handle 367 domestic and 360 international passengers. Upon completion of the upgrades, it is expected to accommodate up to 675 domestic and 407 international passengers.
The Iloilo International Airport’s limited capacity and outdated facilities hinder the growth of tourism and economic activities in the city and province of Iloilo, according to the Filipino Chinese Chamber of Commerce of Iloilo, Inc. (FCCCI).
Last year, December 22, CAAP came under criticism after the runway of the Iloilo International Airport was closed for about four hours, due to emergency repairs.
The runway was temporarily shut down from 7:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. to repair two potholes found on the centerline of the runway.
The emergency repairs, completed shortly after 11 a.m., allowed flight operations to return to normal. According to CAAP, the potholes were caused by bad weather and heavy rainfall.
The Iloilo International Airport is the main international airport serving Iloilo City and its metropolitan area, as well as the rest of Iloilo province in Western Visayas. It is deemed the fifth-busiest airport in the Philippines.
The airport sits on a 188-hectare site. It opened to commercial traffic on June 14, 2007, replacing the old Iloilo Airport in Mandurriao, Iloilo City, after over 70 years in operation.
At present, Iloilo International Airport is served by three international routes (Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand) aside from 12 domestic air routes./PN
