PAL, Cebu Pacific cancel domestic flights on Oct. 23, 24 over scheduled radar upgrade

At least 73 Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific domestic flights will be cancelled Wednesday and Thursday due to a 30-hour maintenance procedure on the radar system at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

In separate advisories Tuesday, Cebu Pacific said it will cancel 44 domestic flights while PAL and PAL Express will cancel 29 flights on Wednesday and Thursday.

Both airlines cited the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) notice regarding reducing the number of flights between 12:01 a.m. Oct. 23 and 6 a.m. Oct. 24 due to the radar system upgrade.

In a separate statement, CAAP Deputy Director General Capt. John C. Andrews said that the scheduled preventive maintenance procedure was discussed with the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and all airlines operating at the NAIA.

To allow for more airspace within the NAIA Aerodrome, General Aviation flights will not be allowed during the 30-hour procedure except for emergency requirements.

For international flights, CAAP said that air traffic controllers will limit the number of aircraft under its control to 11 arrivals and 11 departures per hour.
 
“Departure flights will be subject to Air Traffic Flow Management (ATFM) release, and departure clearance,” the aviation regulator said.

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific said there will be timing adjustments on its Manila-Iloilo-Manila flight on Wednesday. These are:

• 5J 453: Manila-Iloilo (New ETD 7:10 a.m., new ETA 8:25 a.m.)
• 5J 454: Iloilo-Manila (New ETD 8:55 a.m., new ETA 10:10 a.m.)

Local airlines said passengers affected by the flight cancellations have the option to rebook with no penalties, or get full refund.

Cebu Pacific said it has been contacting affected guests for their re-accommodation. — VC, GMA News