By KIMBERLIE QUITASOL
www.nordis.net

BAGUIO CITY — The demolition of structures obstructing the flight routes looms in Loakan Airport as the city prepares for test flights from Manila to Baguio by the end of the month.

Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong announced that Philippine Air Lines Express signified intention to conduct test flights. The company will also help in assessing the airport’s safety.

The city will submit the evaluation result to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and other concerned agencies for appropriate action. The mayor claimed CAAP allocated funds for the overall improvement of airport facilities and aviation equipment.

Magalong reiterated that they would remove structures and trees obstructing the flight path of the aircraft. He said that the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) is now conducting an inventory of the structures for demolition and the trees that need to be cut and trimmed. The office is coordinating with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Philippine Military Academy (PMA).

In January last year, CBAO issued demolition notices to around 200 structures within the 150 meters buffer zone set by CAAP (75 meters from the center on both sides of the runway). The city architects said clearing the area ensures the safety of aircraft.

The mayor said that the resumption of flights at Loakan airport plays a crucial role in encouraging “high-end” tourists to visit the city to speed up the local industry’s revival. He is optimistic about the test flights’ success, and the PAL Express can sustain its regular flights.

In 2009, airline companies servicing the Manila-Baguio route stopped their commercial flights after raising safety issues and the absence of landing instruments. Currently, the airport remains open to chartered and military flights.

The Loakan airport is among those with the shortest runway in the country. Its total runway length of over 1.6 kilometers, enough for the take-off of small aircraft. #nordis.net