The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) had approved the replacement of the Doppler VHF Omni-Directional Radio Range and Distance Measuring Equipment (DVOR/DME) at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
The DVOR is the navigational guidance system that helps pilots locate and land on the runway during bad weather and low visibility. The currently functioning DVOR was installed back in 1996.
The contract to procure the new DVOR was awarded to Indra Australia Pty. Ltd., in joint venture with Philcox Philippines, Inc.. According to CAAP, the winning bid for the new DVOR amounts to P39.8 million. This saved CAAP P13.9 million as the project bid ceiling was set at P53.7 million.
CAAP Director General William K. Hotchkiss III said the installation of the new DVOR/DME will be completed no later than August 2014.
The NAIA DVOR system last bogged down in June 2010 forcing air traffic controllers in Manila to divert several flights to the nearby Clark International Airport in Pampanga. The incident affected thousands of passengers in domestic and international flights.
