Passengers of canceled Cebu Pacific flight 5J 704 (bound for Manila) line up at airline check-in counters for rebooking in Dipolog Airport. Photo courtesy of CAAP
Flights canceled in wake of ‘Paeng’
CAAP, airlines ready to assist affected travelers
AIRPORTS operated by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), have started their precautionary measures in anticipation of possible damages due to Tropical Storm (TS) “Paeng”.
The Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) raised Signal No. 2 over several areas in Luzon and Visayas as “Paeng” slightly intensified.
Airports located within the path of TS Paeng, such as Bicol International Airport (BIA), have already conducted pre-typhoon coordination meetings and assessments to gear up for the expected weather disturbance affecting the Bicol region.
Naga Airport canceled its CebGo flight operations (DG 6111/DG6112) from and to Manila due to bad weather conditions. A total of 140 passengers were affected and swiftly assisted by airport personnel.
Masbate Airport also halted two CebGo flight operations (DG 6177-6178/DG 6179-6180) to and from Manila Friday (Oct. 28), affecting a total of 305 passengers.
Malasakit Help Kits, including food packs, were distributed to the affected travelers.
All other Area 5 airports (Legazpi, Bulan, Sorsogon, Daet, and Virac) are on normal operations with no reported flight cancellations as of press time.
Area 6 airports (Iloilo, Bacolod-Silay, Kalibo, Antique, and Roxas) remain operational. However, PAL flight PR 2905 (Manila-Antique-Manila) and Cebu Pacific flight 5J 373 (Manila-Roxas-Manila) have been canceled.
CAAP Marinduque, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Tacloban suspended administrative office work following the Executive Order issued by their respective local government units due to the tropical storm. However, airport personnel on operations duty remain in their respective posts.
For Dipolog airport, Cebu Pacific flight 5J 704 bound for Manila was canceled with 119 affected passengers. Airport personnel immediately assisted the passengers with rebooking.
Cotabato airport has suspended runway operations as the surrounding areas of the airport are currently flooded. The Passenger Terminal Building incurred no damages aside from rainwater leaks.
Apart from typhoon preparedness plans, airports operated by CAAP are also on heightened alert for “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos”, due to the influx of flying passengers this Undas 2022.
