CAAP: Yolanda-hit airports except Tacloban now in full operation

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Tuesday declared most airports damaged by Typhoon Yolanda as fully-operational, except in Tacloban City, one of the areas hardest hit. 

 

In a statement, CAAP said airports that are “now in full operations” are Guiuan in Samar, Bantayan and Roxas in Cebu, Kalibo and Caticlan in Aklan, Busuanga in Palawan, San Jose in Mindoro, Ormoc in Leyte, Tagbilaran in Bohol, Borongan, Biliran and Calbayog in Samar, Dumaguete in Negros Oriental and Catbalogan in Western Samar.

 

Flights using fixed wing aircraft, however, are still not allowed at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport in Tacloban City, CAAP noted. 

 

“Non-commercial fixed wing aircraft have been banned from operating to Tacloban so as to give priority to the greater number of people and cargo traffic,” said CAAP.

 

Last Thursday, CAAP limited the number of aircraft at Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport and gave priority to carriers transporting relief goods. 

http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/335270/economy/business/caap-limits-flights-to-tacloban

 

The Tacloban airport reopened Monday, three days after Yolanda barreled through the coastal city and swept off villages and cut communication lines. CAAP, however, only allowed flights using turboprop aircraft. 

 

Four daily flights of A-320 aircraft for the Manila-Tacloban-Manila route and nine Mactan-Tacloban-Mactan flights of turboprop aircraft will continue until further notice, CAAP noted. 

 

Simultaneous military relief operations are ongoing at the Tacloban airport, where airspace and ramp control are being performed by CAAP Air Traffic Controllers with the co-operation and assistance of US forces.  

Cebu Air, operator of budget airline Cebu Pacific, earlier said it will operate four flights between Cebu and Tacloban until November 25. It reinstated flights to other affected airports after CAAP lifted closure order on airports in Central Philippines.  – VS, GMA News