The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Zamboanga has advised air travellers to and from the city to gear up for the eventual closure, albeit temporary, of the Zamboanga International Airport (ZIA) runway to airbuses as rehabilitation works in the facility continues.

CAAP-Zamboanga officer-in-charge Engr. Jaime Vicente Santos during yesterday’s weekly press briefing at City Hall explained that the three-phased rehabilitation project entails shortening the 2.6km long runway.

The airport official explained that runway operations would remain unaffected during the first two phases of the project as a 1.8km stretch is sufficient to accommodate airbuses and propeller planes.

During the third phase, however, the runway would be temporarily further shortened to 1.5km which can only accommodate lower category planes such as ATRs and Q400s.

“Directly it affect the passengers because we know most of the passengers here like to use the airbus instead of the propeller type to and from Manila,” Santos said.

The rehabilitation project is being undertaken by the CAAP Main Office, specifically the Aerodrome Development and Management Service (ADMS), and has an approved budget of Php 230M.

Commenced on May 13, 2022, the project is targeted to be completed in 480 days, or on September 4 this year. However, some delay may be expected resulting from work suspensions due to weather phenomenon and other variables. (Claudine Uniana)