The operation and maintenance of the Bacolod-Silay International Airport will be privatized soon, Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya of the Department of Transportation and Communication, confirmed yesterday

Abaya is in Bacolod City to give moral support to his son who is playing in the Negros Occidental Football Association Under-13 Invitational Cup at Panaad Park and Stadium, Mansilingan, Bacolod City.

The DOTC secretary said the BSIA is among the five airports proposed to get private operation, maintenance and future expansion.

The four others are the Iloilo International Airport, Laguindingan in Misamis Oriental, Francis Bongoy International Airport in Davao and the Panglao International Airport in Bohol.

“Once privatized, good quality of services will be given because the operations will be done by world-reknowned airport operators,” Abaya said.

He added that there are companies that have already shown interest to bid for the project.

He also assured that terminal fees will not increase, unless consultation is held by the government.

“The terminal fee should be agreed on by both the company and the government, not by a unilateral decision of the private sector,” he said.

Meanwhile, he also said that the department has adopted the “two-man rule” in airplane cockpits.

The policy was adopted after the crash of the Germanwings Airbus A320 in the French Alps on March 24.

When a pilot or co-pilot leaves for a “call of nature”, a crew member should be in the cockpit.

“Protocol is important, but we should adjust. A clear policy must be implemented to avoid such accidents,” Abaya said.*

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