Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte disclosed Thursday that he has secured orders for 12 Mi-17 medium-lift helicopters as its first official acquisition from Russia for the Philippine Air Force. Formal turnover of this cargo helicopters will be conducted during the first official state visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to the Philippines. Another four will be provided to the Philippines on official grant from Russia.
The procurement has been officially signed during President Duterte’s visit to Russia in September last year. The Russian choppers, worth $14.7 million for every unit, are being acquired under the second phase of the military’s modernization program.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has re-opened Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at noon today after changed in wind patterns were observed by Philvolcs favorable for airport operations at NAIA.
Airport Manager Ed Monreal disclosed that prior to its opening at 10 am for aircraft departure and 12 noon for aircraft arrivals they have been busy clearing ash debris at the runway, taxiways, and aprons.
MIAA has used vacuum cleaners and ARFF trucks to clear the runway and taxiway.
Monreal said clearing was still on going after it opens to arriving aircraft with planes ordered to fully stopped at the runway 06-24 in order to be towed to the stand, as taxiways are still being cleared of about half an inch thick of ash deposits.
Ash accumulating on aircraft in tarmac both in MNL, CRK
Clark airport Re-Opens
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) closes NAIA at 6:00p.m. due to Taal volcano eruption as its volcanic ash emissions has reached the skies of Manila. Affected Manila bound flights are being diverted to Clark International Airport.
The latest Notice to Airman (NOTAM) described the closure to last until 6:00 am tomorrow or until prevailing wind change direction according to latest pronouncement by CAAP upon advisory from Philvolcs. Scheduled flight departures are expected to be delayed.
Ten arriving flights in NAIA before it was closed reported ash ingestion to its engine upon close inspection.
MIAA Manager Ed Monreal disclosed that it already recorded presence of ash in the runway and taxiway. Ash debris is also starting to accumulate over aircraft parked at the airport tarmac.
Meanwhile, Clark International Airport was Closed before midnight as it was also affected with ash fall.
The following flights have been cancelled due to volcanic ash emissions.
Cancelled flights for January 13:
China Eastern Airlines MU 5045 PVG - CRK
China Eastern Airlines MU 5046 CRK - PVG
Xiamen Air MF 8697 JJN - CRK
Xiamen Air MF 8698 CRK - JJN
Philippine Airlines PR 490 CRK - ICN
AirSWIFT T6 208 CRK-ENI
Update:
6am 13 January 2020, Monday
286 Flights affected
CANCELLED
Update:
12pm 13 January 2020, Monday
Airport re-opens with President Duterte's aircraft as first arrival followed by PAL flights from New York, Doha and Dubai
Airport Operation subject to wind directional patterns
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines is re-introducing flight to Seattle beginning 3 May 2020 with thrice a week service on A350 every Monday, Wednesday, and Sunday. Flight schedules are listed as follows:
Meanwhile, PAL intends to resume thrice a week Cebu – Los Angeles service beginning 2 May 2020 every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, using Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The airline last operated this route two years ago using Airbus A340-300 but temporarily stopped service on May 2017 due to operational requirements.
