'Minimal' delays in PH airports on Sept. 30 as CAAP upgrades system

MANILA – The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Wednesday said "minimal" disruptions are expected on September 30 due to the scheduled update of the country's air traffic management system.

CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said this would affect all the airports in the country, but the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) would be the most affected.

"Because NAIA starts red eyed flight operations at 4 a.m. Other airports would (experience minimal impact) since majority of the flights would come from NAIA," Apolonio told the Philippine News Agency.

He said the system upgrade would last more or less an hour.

Apolonio, however, said the duration of delays would depend on the number of flights that day.

The CAAP, in a news release, said a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) will be issued to inform airlines and stakeholders 48 hours before the upgrade.

The upgrade includes the "installation and launch of an updated ATMS (air traffic management system) software.

The software costs USD1.5 million, Apolonio said.

On Jan. 1 last year, hundreds of flights were either canceled or delayed due to a Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS)/ATM system glitch, affecting thousands of passengers.

Another system glitch due to a "software issue" affected over 9,200 passengers last May.

The CNS/ATM enables aircraft to transmit accurate locations for takeoffs, landings and air traffic control.

The CAAP on Wednesday said the CNS/ATM "continues to function properly", but the CAAP "has taken precautionary steps and implemented contingency procedures to ensure the safety of flights and passengers, including increasing the separation time between departing flights."

In a Bagong Pilipinas episode last May, Apolonio said the CNS/ATM needed upgrades and CAAP apparently was focused on system upgrades from 2010 to 2017.

He said he was hopeful that the upgrades would be finished by the third quarter this year.

Meanwhile, the CAAP said the system upgrade on Sept. 30 "will result in more efficient air traffic operations, reduced delays, and an overall smoother experience for both airlines and passengers." (PNA)