THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) assured that there will be no repeat of the Philippine airspace closure that occurred in January 1, 2023.

Transportation and Communications Secretary Jaime Bautista said that it is unlikely to occur anew this holiday break. 

Bautista said that all equipment has been checked and has been verified as working properly.

Likewise all employees have been also trained to handle such equipment.

“We have already improved all the equipment. All the necessary maintenance procedures are being implemented. And the employees, the officers of CAAP are very much aware of my instructions to them to see to it that all equipment should be working,” Bautista said.

Last January 1 of this year, a power outage occurred and affected the radar of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

This caused the closure of the Philippine airspace. 

Hundreds of flights were canceled leaving thousands of passengers stranded and affected. The passengers were going home following the New Year break.

Bautista vowed to have a better Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) next year as they are set to announce the winning bidder of the NAIA modernization project in the first quarter of the year. 

He added that the controversial Philippine Village Hotel will be part of the project.

“Yang Philippine Village Hotel, part ng tinatawag nating airport property na idedevelop rin ng private sector,” said Bautista.