Cebu Air's Gokongwei: Constructive actions taken to avoid massive flight delays

Cebu Pacific operator Cebu Air Inc. took initial steps to prevent a recurrence of the massive flight delays and cancellations over the Christmas holidays, its top official told a congressional probe Wednesday.

 

"We have taken the following constructive actions to prevent recurrence," Cebu Air Inc. president and CEO Lance Gokongwei told the House transportation committee.

 

The company required domestic ground handlers to immediately take corrective measures to prevent the lack of check-in personnel, Gokongwei said.

 

The airline has contracted a second ground handler to supplement the domestic check in counters and serve as an alternate.

 

"We have strengthened our management control through a 24/7 hub monitoring of key areas and systems to raise red flags before situations deteriorate," he said.

 

A brand new airbus will arrive in the first quarter to serve as a new "hot spare" for the airline and supplement the two existing spares of Cebu Pacific.

 

Gokongwei said hot spares are planes that serve as a standard aircraft ready to move passengers whose flight has been disrupted. – VS, GMA News