BACK TO NORMAL. A portion of the Tacloban Airport apron in this April 4, 2024 photo. Regular operating hours of the Tacloban Airport will resume this week after one month of runway repair, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said Tuesday (June 4, 2024). (PNA photo by Sarwell Meniano)
TACLOBAN CITY – Regular operating hours of the Tacloban Airport will resume this week after one month of runway repair, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said on Tuesday.
CAAP Eastern Visayas area manager Danilo Abareta said the runway asphalt overlay was completed on Sunday, way ahead of the Aug. 2, 2024 completion date earlier projected.
“Fortunately, our weather has been favorable, and airlines have cooperated with the limited operating hours. The project completion is on time for the upcoming fiesta in Tacloban this month,” Abareta said during the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas press briefing here.
He said that after the runway repair, they completed the calibration of the precision approach path indicator on Monday night.
“We expect the lifting of Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) by Wednesday, allowing the airport to operate from 4:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m.,” Abareta added.
Before the limited operating hours, the airport had 21 daily flights to Manila and Cebu. Since May 2, the number of flights has dropped to 19 daily, according to CAAP.
Starting May 2, CAAP temporarily limited the airport’s operating hours to 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The decision follows a NOTAM issued by CAAP on April 24, 2024.
The repair is part of the PHP421-million asphalt overlay of the runway and airport perimeter road project implemented by the Department of Transportation that started last Jan. 15.
The project involves site development of some sections of the runway, repair of runway potholes, asphalting of the runway shoulder, construction of northwest shore protection, construction of the airport road, and construction of the CAAP administrative building.
The entire project is set to be completed in January 2025. (PNA)
