Following reports that the CAAP will be conducting major maintenance work on the Philippines’ Air Traffic Management System on May 17, they have made a follow-up announcement today (May 5) that the planned shutdown of the Philippine airspace will be shortened to 2 hours from the initial 6 hours.
“Tuloy po ito pero may maganda kaming balita kasi shutdown time umikli po ng 2-4 na lang,” CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said in a TeleRadyo interview, adding that they will issue a new notice to air missions (NOTAM). To recap, the maintenance work in involve the replacement of the UPS system of CAAP’s Air Traffic Management System.
The planned air traffic maintenance will affect flights at NAIA, Clark International Airport, and Mactan-Cebu International Airport, along with several flights at 42 CAAP commercially operated airports. The shorter downtime will benefit everyone, as this will mean fewer flights will be affected.
Apolonio adds that CAAP has finished the first phase of repairs to its air traffic management system and was able to secure a new UPS unit. In addition to that, CAAP has tapped French firm Thales Group to serve as a third-party maintenance provider.
The maintenance is much needed, after NAIA faced two major power outages: one on New Year (January 1), and more recently during Labor Day (May 1).
