Kalibo Airport Capable of Night Landing

By Venus G. Villanueva

Airplanes coming from South Korea and China now land at Kalibo Airport even at night.
According to Airport Manager Engr. Percy Malonesio of the Air Transportation Office (ATO), Kalibo, Aklan. Airplanes can now land until 9:00 p.m. at Kalibo Airport. His office has given notice to concerned airlines and other agencies of this recent development. Night landing is now possible with the installation of the instrument landing system and runway lights.
“There is also a proposal to make Kalibo Airport an international gateway with airplanes flying directly to Kalibo from other countries. However, there is a need to extend the length of the runway to allow bigger planes to land at the same time.
The Kalibo airport will also have a new passenger terminal for the convenience of the passengers brought to Aklan. Presently, the terminal, besides catering to outgoing and incoming passengers, also hosts display areas of Aklan’s food products and other services. It is highly congested.
Engr. Malonesio, however, appreciates that Aklan products are displayed in the area to give tourists a chance to sample the goods of Aklan, especially loom-woven products, which he said enjoy brisk sales in the area.
Once the new terminal is in place, staff from the Bureau of Immigration, the Bureaus of Customs and Quarantine will also be assigned permanently in the airport. According to Malonesio, booths or shops could also be accommodated for the benefit of passengers.
“The ATO is also keen in keeping terrorists or terror acts away by installing a perimeter fence in front of the airport to prevent untoward incidents. The X-Ray machine to detect deadly weapons and other prohibited items is being used, and the Aviation Security Group is always on alert,” Malonesio stressed.
Presently, the ATO is encouraging Aklanons to apply for its 35th Air Navigation Systems Specialists and 13th Basic Air Traffic Service courses.
Engr. Malonesio said this is a chance for Aklanons as he is sure that some of those qualified could be assigned in Aklan, given that many improvements will be implemented at the Kalibo Airport with budgets already available and the 2008 National Budget next year. /MP