Airlines warned not to take advantage of quake to cancel flights

In a statement, Monreal reminded the airlines not to burden passengers with the inconvenience that may result to disruption of their travel plans. (PNA File Photo)

MANILA — Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Ed Monreal on Tuesday warned local carriers not to take advantage of the recent earthquake to cancel flights.

In a statement, Monreal reminded the airlines not to burden passengers with the inconvenience that may result to disruption of their travel plans.

This came after a local carrier apparently cancelled flights to and from Manila.

MIAA noted that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s (NAIA) operations are normal, as no damage to the runway and facilities was reported after the magnitude 6.1 earthquake that jolted parts of Luzon late Monday afternoon.

Clark International Airport (CRK), on the other hand, sustained damages, prompting authorities to declare temporary closure of the airport.

CRK authorities earlier announced the airport would be closed for 24 hours.

Local carriers have cancelled and diverted flights to and from Clark scheduled on Monday evening and Tuesday.

Following the announcement, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific (CEB) and AirAsia Philippines cancelled flights in Clark while there were no cancelled flights to and from NAIA.

Monreal has also ordered his operations team to accommodate flights that could not be accommodated in Clark, following the standard procedures in slotting in coordination with the Civil Aeronautics Board and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).

CEB spokesperson Charo Lagamon told the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday that the carrier has cancelled flight/s to and from Manila, but clarified that it was not related to the earthquake.

Meanwhile, CAAP on Tuesday afternoon announced the temporary closure of CRK runway until Wednesday.