Airport authorities have completed the repairs for the damaged runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport but airliners expect more flight delays as a result of the “disturbance.”
The affected flights on Monday, according to the Department of Transportation, include 53 departing planes, 76 arrivals, with eight international flights and four domestic flights canceled.
Hundreds of passengers also experienced inconvenience and were dismayed when their flights were diverted to Clark International Airport in Pampanga on Monday, saying they stayed there for more than five hours. At least 22 flights were diverted to Clark.
Ed Monreal, general manager of the Manila International Airport Authority, said the runway is open for normal operation Tuesday but there could sill be delays “because of time for aircraft turn around.”
Monreal said the MIAA decided to close the major runway to give way for the repair work of a damaged runway measuring four-inch deep pothole to ensure the safety of aircraft and passengers. He added the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines issued a notice to airmen declaring the closure of Naia runway from 4:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 18.
Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific issued apologies to the passengers affected by the closure of the Naia main runway, saying “It was a ‘force majeure’ and was not fault by the airlines.”
PAL spokesperson Maria Cielo Villaluna told The Standard that it suffered revenue losses because of what happened and as a result of the emergency situation at the Naia.
“Of course, we suffered revenue losses but I can’t give you the figures at the moment. Expenses incurred because of this such as the diversion of flights to Clark and the extended working hours of our crew,” Villaluna said.
She said the situation also caused PAL to subject some of their aircraft for maintenance for safety purposes of both the crew and the passengers.
“In general, airport operations are normal but still there are delays,” said Villaluna, adding that there were no domestic flights canceled on Tuesday.
Villaluna said passengers whose flights were affected by the runway closure have the option to rebook or refund within 30 days from their original flight date, with rebooking/penalty charges waived.
“They can, likewise, reroute to the closest stop from their original destination,” she said.
Meanwhile, the July 19 domestic and international flights of Cebu Pacific from and to Cebu, Doha and Sydney were also canceled.
“At the time of the main runway reopening last night, the maximum legal duty hours limits of our flight and cabin crew had been exceeded and thus CEB has been transporting the affected passengers to Manila by ground transportation. (Note: The legal duty hours limits of our crew are prescribed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines),” said CEB in a statement.
The CEB said all passengers affected by the diversions last Monday were provided with meals and free transfers and passengers whose flights were canceled are being accommodated on the earliest available alternative. It added some passengers have chosen to make their own onward travel arrangements.
“We apologize to our passengers for the disruption caused by the sudden closure of the main runway at Manila and hope also for their understanding, as this situation was due to factors beyond our control. The safety of our passengers and crew remains our priority,” the airline said.
MIAA officials earlier said Naia has a second and smaller runway but it has no landing lights and cannot receive large jet-liners after sundown.
Transportation Undersecretary Bobby Lim said the government would spend P300 million to repair the entire main runway of the Naia and prevent a repeat of the operational disturbance.
He said the runway was built five years ago and was last repaired between 2011 and 2013.