Philippine airports have enough reserve fuel for power interruptions—CAAP

Airports run by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines have enough fuel in reserve in case of power interruptions, according to CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio.

In an interview with Super Radyo DZBB on Sunday, March 29, Apolonio said all 44 airports under CAAP's jurisdiction are ready with diesel supply. The diesel is meant for generator sets, which will serve as the airports' backup electricity sources in the event of power interruptions. 

"May enough reserve fuel naman kami sa diesel. Bihira naman kasing ginagamit 'yan; kung sakali lang. Lahat naka-ready 'yan just in case magkaroon ng power failure doon sa supplier namin sa labas," he said.

He added that CAAP has all hands on deck in preparation for the expected Holy Week travel surge. According to the spokesperson, the organization is not expecting a big change in travel this week despite the steady fuel price hikes triggered by the month-long Iran war. 

"Wala akong nakikita so far sa ngayon na hihina 'yung pagpunta ng mga pasahero dahil nabili na kasi 'yung mga ticket niyan in advance. Definitely, siyempre, tutuloy sila sa biyahe," Apolonio said. 

The spokesman added that CAAP expects local travel to abate after April 1 due to rising airfares caused by the fuel crisis. 

Conversely, international arrivals are expected to increase because of the weaker Philippine peso against the US dollar. 

"Nakikita namin ang lalakas 'yung foreign tourist na papasok. Kasi 'yung value ng dollar natin sa peso, siyempre mas mag-appreciate sila, e dito sila pupunta instead na [for example] Middle East. The last time I heard, ang Middle East, one way pabalik sa Pilipinas, around P90,000," said Apolonio. 

CAAP operates provincial airports throughout the Philippines. 

The ongoing global fuel crisis began when Iran shut the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation to the attacks from the US and Israel.