MIAA: PH airspace shutdown set for 6 hours on May 17

The country's airspace would be shut down for six hours on May 17 as operators are scheduled to do maintenance work to avoid power outages that hit NAIA, aviation authorities said.

NAIA file photo

No flight operations for six hours

In an earlier advisory, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said the airspace would be temporarily closed from midnight to 6 AM on May 17.

The maintenance activities would include upgrading the air traffic management system, repairing the automatic voltage regulator, and replacing the uninterruptible power supply.

This means that there would be no flight operations during the six-hour period, according to Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) Senior Assistant General Manager Bryan Co.

CAAP is saying it could happen na mas maiksi, pwedeng shorter. Pero as far as planning is concerned, we're planning six hours, Co said.

The MIAA official said airlines and airport authorities have been informed of this planned maintenance work.

On New Year's Day, tens of thousands of passengers were stranded at the airports following a technical glitch at NAIA. Just this Monday, a power outage hit the air hub anew, disrupting flight operations.

Source: CNN Philippines