Emergency responders at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) successfully reached a simulated aircraft crash site in under three minutes, meeting the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) benchmark for aircraft rescue and firefighting response during the Crash Rescue Exercise (CREX) 2025 held on October 17.
The full-scale emergency drill, organized by New NAIA Infra Corp. (NNIC) — the private consortium managing the airport — tested the coordination, communication, and command efficiency of airport units and partner agencies under high-pressure conditions.
The scenario involved a simulated aircraft carrying 120 passengers and six crew members that ingested foreign object debris (FOD) on the runway, resulting in engine damage, a fuel leak, and an ensuing fire. Responders executed rescue, firefighting, and evacuation protocols within the ICAO-mandated response time, showcasing readiness aligned with global aviation safety standards.
More than 600 participants joined the 51-minute exercise, which was supervised and evaluated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Airline Operators Council (AOC). The operation involved multiple NNIC units, including Rescue and Firefighting Services, Medical Services, Operations, Security Group, and the Aerodrome Safety and Wildlife Hazard Management Office, alongside the Manila International Airport Authority, Philippine National Police, and Bureau of Fire Protection.
Medical and disaster response teams from the Philippine Red Cross, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and several hospitals also participated. Philippine Airlines activated its CARE Team and Survivor Reception Area to assist in passenger management and family coordination.
The 2025 CREX marks the first large-scale emergency exercise under private management since NNIC assumed operations of NAIA in September 2024 through a public-private partnership with the government. The activity forms part of NNIC’s continuing efforts to uphold world-class safety, efficiency, and operational resilience at the country’s main gateway.