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Runway lights to be replaced
The Saipan airport’s runway lighting system will be replaced with a new one in early 2017, according to the Commonwealth Ports Authority.
Orders for the replacement runway lights have already been placed and are expected to arrive by mid-February 2017, according to newly appointed CPA executive director Chris Tenorio.
“We have just signed a contract with a vendor, so we have placed the orders for all the lights and materials. It should be in by mid-February or even earlier. Once it arrives, our [electricians] will start working on it,” said Tenorio.
According to Tenorio, the cost of materials alone is estimated at $150,000 but costs would be kept to a minimum because an on-board master electrician would handle the installation of the lights.
“Right now, we have no exact amount for how much it would cost to replace [the whole system],” he said.
The runway of the Francisco C. Ada-Saipan International Airport would be running even during the installation of the new lights, said Tenorio.
“We are going to be working on replacing the lights during down time, [when] there are no active flights so that it does not hamper airport operations,” he said.
The Saipan airport runway’s down time is usually between 5pm and 12am.
CPA board member and airport facilities committee chair Barrie Toves wished for the materials to come sooner, but was satisfied with the placement of the order.
“I asked them if they could find a way to expedite the materials for sooner arrival. My concern there is because we don’t want another shutdown of the runway. I am pretty much satisfied that they have already placed the orders,” said Toves.
The Saipan airport’s runway lights became inoperable thrice—on Aug. 5, Sept. 22, and Nov. 4—causing multiple flights to be pushed back by a few hours or more.
