Normal flight operations resumed the other day at all Terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) after technicians fixed a problem in the radar system.

The glitch in the radars of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), formerly Air Transportation Office (ATO), affected flights at the country’s premier gateway.

At around 3:50 p.m. Sunday, CAAP declared a technical problem with their Area Control radar system. Take-off and landing of aircraft at the NAIA were suspended following CAAP’s notice-to-airmen (NOTAM).

Now, “We are back to normal. We are now servicing all flights according to schedule,” announced Alfonso Cusi, General Manager of the Manila International Airport Authority.

Remedial measures resumed flight operations on a limited scale at around 5:30 in the afternoon. An inbound separation of 10 minutes per flight for arrivals and outbound separation of 5 minutes per flight for departure were adopted to enable landing and take-off under the situation.

“Our Terminal systems were working hundred percent when the incident happened,” MIAA Assistant General Manager for Airport Development and Corporate Affairs Tirso Serrano explained. “Flights were coming in and going out on schedule until the radar system encountered a technical glitch.”

They immediately dispatched senior officers to coordinate closely with CAAP authorities and sent a technical team to augment the latter’s complement. At the Terminals, staff on duty were made to standby and prepare contingencies in the event of congestion resulting to delays and cancellation.

“Our capacity building efforts for the NAIA Terminals also considers the requirements of our partner agencies like the CAAP which has direct jurisdiction over navigational aids and facilities. It is an inevitable reality that we have to address jointly since these facilities are highly crucial to airport operations,” he noted.

“We appreciate the continuing support of our aviation partners like the airlines, who always work hand in hand with us in ensuring that passengers needs are addressed even in situations beyond our control,” Cusi concluded.