VZCZCXRO5657
OO RUEHCHI RUEHCN RUEHDT RUEHHM
DE RUEHML #1966 2580954
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 150954Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY MANILA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5186
INFO RULSDMK/DEPT OF TRANSPORTATION WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/TSA HQ WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RHMFIUU/FAA NATIONAL HQ WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHZS/ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS IMMEDIATE
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO IMMEDIATE 3731

UNCLAS MANILA 001966 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MTS AND EB/TRA 
SINGAPORE AND TOKYO FOR FAA 
COMMERCE FOR BERLINGUETTE 
 
SENSITIVE, SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAIR ECON EINV ETRD RP
SUBJECT:  Power Outage Highlights Philippine Air Safety 
Vulnerability 
 
REF:  Manila 01390 
 
¶1.  (SBU)  Summary:  Insufficient backup generators to handle a 
brief power outage caused the failure of long range radar and 
communication systems at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport 
(NAIA), delaying or cancelling 20 long-haul flights on September 13 
and 14.  The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the 
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) restored most 
flight operations early morning on September 14.  Spurred by 
President Macapagal-Arroyo's demand for an investigation into the 
incident, aviation authorities point to outdated systems and poor 
power supply.  The deployment of a new state-of-the-art air safety 
system is in its preliminary stages.  International Civil Aviation 
Organization (ICAO) and European Union (EU) inspectors are due to 
review the Philippine air safety system in October and November, 
respectively. End Summary. 
 
Chain Reaction of Air Safety Concerns 
--------------------------------------- 
¶2.  (SBU)  On the afternoon of September 13, power fluctuations at 
NAIA triggered a chain reaction that temporarily impeded 
communications between pilots and the air traffic center and 
disabled the long-range radar system.  The CAAP issued a Notice to 
Airmen about the failure and all planes were grounded until the 
airport authority restored communication between the air traffic 
control, pilots, and the international hotlines that provide safety 
redundancy between pilots and their own airline communications 
personnel.  Within six hours, airport authorities resumed partial 
operations using restored communications links and a medium-range 
approach radar to guide aircraft, according to official sources. 
 
Delays and Effect on International Flights 
------------------------------------------- 
¶3.  (U)  The radar and communications failure delayed or rerouted 20 
long-haul international and domestic passenger flights, including 
one Continental Airlines flight from Guam.  Several cargo planes 
were also diverted to other airports. 
 
¶4.  (SBU)  Although MIAA and CAAP official permitted the restoration 
of operations, they acknowledge that two of the four radar screens, 
as well as the long-range radar, are still not working.  NAIA is 
operating under a "flow control" system limiting arrivals and 
departures at five-minute intervals, rather than the normal 
two-minute intervals. Industry sources note altitude restrictions 
remain in place due to the dependence by MIAA on the medium-range 
approach radar. 
 
Arroyo Orders Investigation in Advance of Planned ICAO and EU 
Inspections 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶5.  (SBU)  The timing of this air safety system failure bodes ill 
for the upcoming safety reviews of the Philippines by ICAO in 
October and the EU aviation authorities in November. The U.S. 
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) downgraded the Philippines to 
Category 2 in January 2008 because of serious air safety 
deficiencies.  CAAP has requested postponements of the ICAO visit 
three times.  Two were granted, but the third request was denied. 
 
¶6.  (SBU)  President Arroyo's order for an investigation into the 
incident may help accelerate the replacement of the airport's 
communications, navigation and air traffic management systems.  CAAP 
is expediting the procurement process for this new, Japan-financed 
project by shortening the window for submission of bids from 90 to 
60 days.  Embassy Manila is advocating for Raytheon as the sole U.S. 
participant in one of four international consortiums bidding on the 
220 million dollar radar and power system contract.  If deployed, 
its state-of-the-art AutoTrac III system would significantly improve 
air safety in the Philippines. 
 
¶7.  (SBU)  COMMENT:  This latest air safety failure points to 
continuing deep-seated problems within the CAAP (reftel).  It may 
also be embarrassing enough to focus the authorities' attention on 
resolving long-standing deficiencies.  The civil aviation sector 
serves as a microcosm of the wider Philippine environment in which 
infrastructure development and safety are hampered by poor 
governance.  End Comment. 
 
KENNEY