504 flights affected by NAIA closure
Credit to Author: The Manila Times| Date: Tue, 03 Dec 2019 03:53:02 +0000
AT LEAST 504 flights on Tuesday were affected in the 12-hour closure of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminals.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal said the flight suspension was prudent and necessary in view of the typhoon’s wind strength.
“Note that according to existing regulation, once the surface wind strength reached 65 knots as indicated in the anemometer, airport operations are automatically suspended,” Monreal said.
It added that the precaution was “meant to ensure utmost safety for all especially the riding public. In fact, there were instances when airport operations need to be suspended when crosswind reaches 40 knots, or once the surface wind becomes disruptive for continuous operation vis-a-vis aircraft type, length of runway, among others.”
“To be sure, according to airline standard, at 50 knots, airlines will implement preemptive evacuation of aircraft. Once flight operations resume, priority will be given to scheduled flights. Recovery flights will be accommodated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis,” he said.
He added that for an orderly succession of flights, recovery flights must have prior approval fron the MIAA. Regular runway maintenance (1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.) shall likewise be suspended for three more days after resumption of flights to give way to recovery flights.
Monreal said previously that to ensure safety, he appealed to air passengers to just stay in their homes and avoid going to the airports as terminals would be closed.
Monreal also advised affected passengers to closely coordinate with their airline carriers.
On Monday, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific Air, AirAsia, Air Swift and Skyjet grounded their fligths because of Tisoy.
Foreign airlines also cancelled their flights. These are: United Airlines, Jeju Air, Oman Air, Royal Brunei, Ethiopian Airline, Kuwait Airlines, Etihad Airlines, Saudia Airlines, Japan Airline, Malaysia Airlines, Eva Air, Korean Air, China Southern, Asiana Airlines, Xiamen Airlines, Scoot, Qatar Airlines, Emirates Airline, Thai Airways, China Airlines, China Eastern, and All Nippon Airways. BENJAMIN L. VERGARA