PHL carriers cancel flights as rain overwhelms NCR, nearby provinces

(Updated 6:01 p.m.) Philippine carriers canceled flights early Tuesday as torrential rains continued to overwhelm the National Capital Region and surrounding areas.

 

As of 6:45 a.m., the Department of Transportation and Communication, through its Twitter account, said canceled flights are:

Cancelled flights as of 0645H: 5J-907 MNL-Caticlan, 5J-563 MNL-Cebu, and 5J-564 Cebu-MNL.

— DOTC (@DOTCPhilippines) August 19, 2013

As of 8:20 a.m., the following flights were also canceled:

 

Cancelled flights as of 0820H: DG-7002 MNL-Cebu, DG-7003 Cebu-MNL, DG-7082 MNL-Bacolod, and DG-7083 Bacolod-MNL.

— DOTC (@DOTCPhilippines) August 20, 2013

As of 10:59 a.m., Tiger Airways Philippines also said the following flights were cancelled:

• DG-7006 Manila to Cebu

• DG-7007 Cebu to Manila

• DG-7056 Manila to Kalibo

• DG-7057 Kalibo-Manila

• DG-7014 Manila to Cebu 

• DG-7015 Cebu to Manila

In a separate advisory, the department also posted additional flights that were cancelled:

Cancelled flights as of 0820H: DG-7072 MNL-Iloilo and DG-7073 Iloilo-MNL.

— DOTC (@DOTCPhilippines) August 20, 2013

PAL, Cebu Pacific, Tiger Airways

In an e-mailed statement, Philippine Airlines and PAL Express said all flights slated out of Manila as of 7 a.m. were on hold due to weather conditions.

 

"Take off activities will resume once rains subside. As of this time there are no cancellations of flights," it said.

 

It said Davao-Manila flight PR 808, which departed at 5:06 a.m., was diverted to Clark Airport and arrived there at 7:30 a.m. while estimated arrival in Manila was 9 a.m.

 

PAL management is also waiving rebooking fees for passengers unable to take their flights Tuesday, August 20, due to prevailing weather conditions and flooding.

 

"Affected passengers have 30 days from today to rebook their flights to the same booking class to ensure that no penalty charges are imposed," it said.

 

Cebu Pacific, however, said all its flights are still not canceled despite the suspension of ramp operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 due to flooding.

 

"The NAIA T3 has suspended ramp operations due to flood this morning. CEB flights have not been canceled at this time, as those already at the airport will still be released for flight," it said.

 

"CEB flights bound for Manila are on hold in their origin stations until ramp operations in T3 resume," it added.

 

Cebu Pacific is also suspending its rebooking penalties for Luzon-based passengers who are unable to take their flights today due to flooding. Passengers have 30 days from original travel date to request for a refund put the value of their fare in full travel fund.

 

In a text message advisory, Tiger Airways Philippines canceled all flights to and from Manila until further notice. "We will waive charges and issue refunds to affected passengers," it added.

 

PNR, LRT, MRT operatioins

 

The DOTC also said on Twitter the Philippine National Railways (PNR) already suspended operations as railroad tracks are flooded. "All PNR commuter trains plying Manila-Alabang are temporarily suspended due to high level of water in some areas," it said.

 

Advisory: All PNR commuter trains plying Manila-Alabang are temporarily suspended due to high level of water in some areas.

— DOTC (@DOTCPhilippines) August 19, 2013

 

Meanwhile, normal operations are expected for LRT 1 and 2 and MRTdespite fewer trains and ticket tellers, according to the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA).

 

"Please be informed that the ONLY flooded area is at Pureza Station. The rest of Line 2 Stations are NOT flooded," LRTA said.

 

OCC Line 2 Update: 0800h Please be informed that the ONLY flooded area is at Pureza Station. The rest of Line 2 Stations are NOT flooded.

— LRTA (@OfficialLRTA) August 20, 2013

 

In a separate e-mail advisory, PAL and PAL Express noted the following flights have been cancelled as of 11 a.m.:

• PR 8488 / 8489 Manila-Incheon-Manila

• PR 318 / 319 Manila-Hong Kong-Manila

• PR 730 /731 Manila-Bangkok-Manila

• PR 300/301 Manila-Hongkong-Manila

• PR 813 /814 Manila-Davao-Manila

• PR 853 /854 Manila-Cebu-Manila

• PR 503 / 504 Manila-Singapore-Manila

• PR 849/850 Manila-Cebu-Manila

• PR 336/337 Manila-Pudong-Manila

• PR 507/508 Manila-Singapore-Manila

• PR 855/856 Manila-Cebu-Manila

• PR 358/359 Manila-Beijing-Manila

• PR 517/ 518 Manila-Kuala Lumpur-Manila

• 2p 773/774 Manila-Tagbilaran-Manila

• 2p 967/968 Manila-Butuan-Manila

• 2p 587/588 Manila-Dipolog-Manila

• 2p 039/040 Manila-Caticlan-Manila

• 2p 051 052 MAnila-Caticlan-Manila

• 2p 527/528 Manila-Cagyan de Oro-Manila

• 2p 014/015 Manila-Tuguegarao-Manila

• 2p 065/066 Manila-Surigao-Manila