Press Release
August 18, 2018

GORDON REITERATES CALL TO MAKE USE OF SUBIC, CLARK AIRPORTS AS ALTERNATIVES TO NAIA

Senator Richard J. Gordon once again reiterated his call for reopening the airports in Subic and Clarkfield, Pampanga to provide alternative airports to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

"Passengers are inconvenienced when flights at the NAIA are delayed or cancelled due to unforeseen circumstance that aggravates passengers and commerce due to DELAYED AND cancelled flights. An example is the August 17 closure of NAIA'S main runway to remove a disabled plane that did not land properly. However, if Subic Bay International Airport (SBIA) and Clark International Airport were fully operational, flights can be diverted there," he said.

The closure of NAIA's Runway 06/24 has been extended to 5 a.m. on Saturday to give more time for the set-up of equipment needed to remove the disabled Xiamen Airlines plane whose landing gear collapsed with the right engine also falling.

Last month, Gordon stressed the need to complete the rehabilitation of the airport before the year ends to enable the SBIA to return to full operation by the second quarter of 2019.

"With flights often delayed because of the congestion at the NAIA, I have long been calling for the reopening of Subic Bay International Airport so that it, along with Clark International Airport, could be used to divert flights from the NAIA. Hence, SBIA's rehabilitation should be completed before the year ends so it could be fully operational by next year," he said.

Gordon added the Department of Budget and Management should facilitate the bidding of airport equipment as soon as possible.

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