Manila: The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is investigating a false fire alarm that temporarily disrupted operations at its Air Traffic Management (ATM) Center early Tuesday.
According to Philippines News Agency, the CAAP reported that the alarm was triggered around 1:24 a.m., prompting the immediate activation of contingency and safety protocols, including a temporary hold on aircraft departures. Normal operations were restored by 2:50 a.m., and all restrictions were lifted by 3:16 a.m.
A total of 59 commercial and cargo flights were delayed by an average of 45 minutes, while seven arriving flights were affected by the brief disruption. CAAP Director General Retired Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario stated that the incident was swiftly managed, ensuring that flight safety was never compromised.
Del Rosario acknowledged the professionalism and quick response of the air traffic controllers, which ensured that flight safety was maintained and operations returned to normal. He emphasized the incident highlights CAAP's commitment to maintaining high standards of aviation safety and readiness.
The CAAP assured the public that an internal investigation is underway to determine the cause of the false alarm and to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The agency reaffirmed its dedication to upholding strict aviation safety protocols in line with the directives of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Acting Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez.
