New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) has initiated a project to clear 27 abandoned aircraft from the general aviation area of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). The purpose of this move is to enhance airside safety, increase operational capacity, and make the most of the limited airport space.
Some of these airplanes have been sitting idle for more than a decade. For instance, there is a Cessna 421B that has been parked since 2009 and a Boeing 737-200 that has been occupying over 865 square meters of the North Taxiway Extension since 2015.
NNIC, in cooperation with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), has officially identified these abandoned aircraft and issued notices to their registered owners or authorized representatives. Those responsible for these planes are urged to promptly get in touch with NNIC to confirm ownership and make arrangements for either retrieving the aircraft or ensuring proper disposal.
If there is no response from the owners, the aircraft will be removed and disposed of in accordance with existing laws and regulations. This cleanup operation is anticipated to alleviate congestion, enhance aircraft parking and ground maneuvering, and support the continuous enhancement of NAIA into a safer and more efficient international hub.
The extended presence of these abandoned aircraft not only hampers space for active airplanes but also raises issues related to safety and security. This initiative is part of NNIC's larger modernization drive since taking over the airport's operations in September 2024.
