ABU DHABI // A temporary runway closure at Manila airport on Monday forced flight cancellations that stranded passengers travelling to Dubai and Doha.
Cebu Pacific cancelled flights to Dubai and Doha on Monday, and on Tuesday to Sydney, Australia.
Affected passengers vented their frustration over the cancellations.
“We’ve been stranded here for hours,” said Joan Palomillo, 32, a babysitter in Dubai, by phone from Manila. “Everyone is very angry and upset.”
She was to board a Cebu Pacific flight at 4.15pm.
Her flight from Iloilo to Manila, scheduled to land at 2.35pm, was delayed.
“We landed at 4pm so I had to rush to the airline counter,” Ms Palomillo said.
“When I finally reached the departure gate, we were told our flight would be delayed. We waited and waited. At 6pm, they said it was cancelled.”
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines released a “notice to airmen” indicating a temporary runway closure at Ninoy Aquino international airport (Naia) from 4.30pm to 11pm on Monday, for emergency repairs, Cebu Pacific said.
According to an advisory note posted by Naia at about 4pm on Monday, the runway was closed temporarily because of a soft spot on the surface, to prevent any damage to aircraft.
The closure also caused the cancellation of several Cebu Pacific and Cebgo domestic flights. At least 10 flights – two international and eight domestic – had to be diverted to Clark international airport, north-west of Manila.
“Expect flight diversions until or about 10pm today. Flights using aircraft A320 and below may use runway 13/31 for flight operations,” Naia said.
Cebu Pacific passengers can rebook their flights within 30 days, opt for a full refund or use the flight cost as credit for future travel, with no penalty charge.
rruiz@thenational.ae
