By Ricky Bautista
TACLOBAN CITY — Cebu Pacific has cancelled multiple flights on Wednesday due to Typhoon Carina (International Name: Gaemi), which has severely affected operations at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila.
In many provincial airports, passengers were left disappointed as their flights to Manila were cancelled. Several other flights were delayed because aircraft were stranded in Manila due to a flooded runway and heavy rainfall.
In Tacloban City, Cebu Pacific ground crews at DZR airport assisted affected passengers, providing support amidst the challenges posed by the bad weather at NAIA. Passengers anxiously sought rebooking options, while airport authorities monitored the situation and occasionally mediated between the crews and frustrated travelers.
“Paano kami hindi maiinis, eh walang malinaw na paliwanag ang mga crew sa nangyayari. Paano namin malalaman na may bagyo sa Manila samantalang maganda naman ang panahon dito, maliban sa konting ambon,” said Juana, a passenger with a connecting flight to Mindanao.
On the evening of July 23, passengers of Flight No. 5J 652 were accommodated in a hotel around midnight but were forced to check out by 4 a.m. due to an available 6 a.m. flight.
“Ngayong umaga na, wala pa rin kaming byahe. May eroplano na pero walang pilot, sabi nasa Manila daw,” another frustrated passenger remarked.
By 11 a.m., Flight No. 5J 652 departed Tacloban and safely arrived in Manila. However, subsequent flights were again cancelled.
In Advisory #3 issued around 12 noon on July 24, Cebu Pacific announced significant disruptions and advised passengers to anticipate cancellations and delays throughout the day.
“The closure of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 4, where our Cebgo (DG) flights operate, due to flooding has rendered it inaccessible,” stated the CEB advisory.
All arriving DG flights will be redirected to NAIA Terminal 3. Passengers are urged to monitor flight statuses via Cebu Pacific’s flight status page and update their contact information through the Manage Booking portal to receive email notifications regarding flight updates and reminders.
“For safety reasons, passengers affected by cancellations are advised not to proceed to the airport and to avoid flooded roads,” the CEB advisory cautioned.
List of Additional Cancelled Flights for July 24, 2024:
5J 483/484: Manila – Bacolod – Manila
5J 659/660: Manila – Tacloban – Manila
5J 705/706: Manila – Dipolog – Manila
5J 773/774: Manila – Pagadian – Manila
5J 787/788: Manila – Butuan – Manila
5J 857/858: Manila – Zamboanga – Manila
5J 911/912: Manila – Caticlan – Manila
Earlier Today, in its 10 a.m. Advisory, the Following Flights Had Already Been Cancelled:
DG 6031/6032: Manila – San Jose – Manila
DG 6043/6044: Manila – Busuanga – Manila
DG 6047/6048: Manila – Busuanga – Manila
DG 6051/6052: Manila – Busuanga – Manila
DG 6055/6056: Manila – Busuanga – Manila
DG 6113/6114: Manila – Naga – Manila
DG 6117/6118: Manila – Naga – Manila
DG 6177/6178: Manila – Masbate – Manila
DG 6195/6196: Manila – Legazpi – Manila
DG 6197/6198: Manila – Legazpi – Manila
DG 6243/6244: Manila – Caticlan – Manila
DG 6247/6248: Manila – Caticlan – Manila
DG 6468/6469: Manila – Bacolod – Manila
DG 6837/6838: Manila – Siargao – Manila
DG 6839/6840: Manila – Siargao – Manila
DG 6841/6842: Manila – Siargao – Manila
DG 6507/6508: Manila – Cebu – Manila
5J 196/197: Manila – Cauayan – Manila
5J 323/324: Manila – Legazpi – Manila
5J 404/405: Manila – Laoag – Manila
5J 457/458: Manila – Iloilo – Manila
5J 487/488: Manila – Bacolod – Manila
5J 504/505: Manila – Tuguegarao – Manila
5J 506/507: Manila – Tuguegarao – Manila
5J 557/558: Manila – Cebu – Manila
5J 617/618: Manila – Tagbilaran – Manila
5J 639/640: Manila – Puerto Princesa – Manila
5J 649/650: Manila – Tacloban – Manila
5J 705/706: Manila – Dipolog – Manila
5J 853/854: Manila – Zamboanga – Manila
5J 909/910: Manila – Caticlan – Manila
5J 919/920: Manila – Caticlan – Manila
5J 993/994: Manila – General Santos – Manila
Yesterday, July 23, numerous flights were delayed or cancelled due to adverse weather conditions in Metro Manila. The airline advises affected passengers to update and monitor their booking portals for further notifications and instructions.
