Cebu Pac cancels Zambo flights until Monday; sets special PAF flight on Friday

Air carrier Cebu Pacific is canceling at least 16 flights with destination points in Zamboanga City until Monday, Sept. 16, due to the extended closure of the Zamboanga Airport amid the ongoing standoff there between government and Moro National Liberation Front forces.

But the air carrier also said a Philippine Air Force flight will take affected Cebu Pacific passengers from Zamboanga to Cebu on Friday.

"Cebu Pacific (CEB) is closely coordinating with the government for the re-accommodation of passengers affected by the Zamboanga Airport closure. On September 13, 2013, Friday, the Philippine Air Force will ferry affected CEB passengers from Zamboanga to Cebu," it said.

It also said it has arranged two special flights from Tawi-Tawi to Cebu, departing Friday, to accommodate passengers who are traveling for the Hajj Pilgrimage.

Cebu Pacific said its daily flights between Zamboanga and Tawi-Tawi had been suspended since September 9.

"Upon arrival in Cebu, passengers will be re-accommodated on scheduled CEB flights from Cebu to Manila on the same day," it said.

Canceled flights

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific said it is canceling 16 flights from Sept. 13 to 16 since the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines extended the suspension of Zamboanga Airport operations until Sept. 16, "to the current security situation in Zamboanga."

The canceled flights include:

5J 851/852: Manila-Zamboanga-Manila
5J 855/856: Manila-Zamboanga-Manila
5J 859/860: Manila-Zamboanga-Manila
5J 857/858: Manila-Zamboanga-Manila
5J 433/434: Cebu-Zamboanga-Cebu
5J 393/394: Davao-Zamboanga-Davao
5J 839/840: Zamboanga-Tawi-Tawi-Zamboanga
5J 845/844: Cagayan de Oro-Zamboanga-Cagayan de Oro

Cebu Pacific said passengers affected by these cancellations may rebook flights for travel within 30 days from original departure date with no penalties, full travel fund or full refund.

It said they may also reroute their flights to the nearest alternate station to Zamboanga.

Passengers may call (02) 7020-888 or (032) 230-8888 for their preferred option, any time even after their flights, it said.

"CEB hopes for its guests’ understanding as this situation is beyond the airline’s control. CEB will continue to provide updates as soon as available," it said. — BM, GMA News