NAIA runways, taxiways closed for inspection after 6.3 magnitude quake
Runways and taxiways at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) have been temporarily closed for mandatory ground safety check after a 6.3 magnitude quake jolted Batangas and Metro Manila on Thursday morning, June 15.
In a statement, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said the decision to shut down the runways and taxiways was part of the standard operating procedure in the conduct of ground safety assessment.
“The MIAA Ground Safety Units are now doing a cursory inspection to check any damage to the pavements. This is a standard operating procedure to ensure safety of landing and take-off of aircraft,” said the MIAA in a statement.
“We seek the understanding of the public for possible effects to flight schedules due to the runway closure,” it added.
The 6.3 magnitude quake, with epicenter traced 15 kilometers west of Calatagan, Batangas, occurred at 10:19 a.m., according to state seismologists.
Intensity III and II were felt in most parts of Metro Manila which prompted authorities to temporarily close the runways and taxiways of the NAIA.
The Department of Transportation also said the operations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) 1 and 2, Metro Rail Transit 3, and the Philippine National Railways were also put on hold for inspection.
The train operations, however, resumed by 11:39 a.m. after inspections and assessments were done.
On the part of the NAIA, the inspection and assessment are ongoing.
But initially, MIAA said the departure and arrival operations inside the Terminals are unaffected.
It added that the inspection was also being conducted by the Terminal Safety units of the MIAA.
The MIAA is yet to provide details as to how many flights and passengers were affected.