Poe eyes Jan. 12 start of Senate probe into NAIA air traffic mess

Senator Grace Poe is eyeing to start the Senate investigation into the power outage that caused flight disruptions at the Ninoy Aquino Airport on New Year's Day, affecting thousands of passengers.

In a text message, Poe said committees are allowed to conduct hearings even if the sessions are adjourned.

"I intend to call for a hearing on Thursday, January 12," Poe, chairperson of the Senate public services committee, said.

Poe said they will allow the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) to normalize the operations in the country's main airport first before conducting the investigation.

"By that time key executives [should] not have an excuse not to attend," she said.

Sessions in the Senate are adjourned until January 22, 2023.

On Tuesday, three senators filed separate resolutions seeking to launch an investigation into the NAIA air traffic fiasco.

On the first day of the year, flights to and from Manila were put on hold due to technical issues with CAAP's air navigation facilities. Flights were either delayed, diverted or canceled.

Around 65,000 passengers were affected by the closure of the Philippine airspace that transportation officials attributed to an "outdated" system.

Malacañang on Monday said a thorough probe is being done by concerned agencies following the incident. —Hana Bordey/KBK, GMA Integrated News