Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) has cancelled 10 international and more than 20 domestic flights scheduled on Feb. 15 and 16 and on Feb. 22 and 23 to give way to runway improvements at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila.
Among the cancelled international flights scheduled on Feb. 15 were CEB flights to and from Giangzhou, Macau and Xiamen. The Feb. 15 and Feb. 22 Manila-Ho Chin Minh-Manila and Manila-Kota Kinabalu flights and the Feb. 16 and Feb. 23 flights from Kota Kinabalu to Manila were also suspended.
In a statement, the CEB management said flights to and from Bacolod, Zamboanga, and Legazpi scheduled last Friday were also cancelled.
Other domestic flights cancelled include the Feb. 15 and Feb 22 flights to and from Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Cauayan, Butuan and Iloilo; and the Feb 16. and Feb. 23 flights to and from Cebu.
The airline also announced flight re-time or rescheduling on Feb. 15, 16, 22 and 23 affecting the time of departure of flights to and from Hong Kong, Nagoya, Narita, Osaka, Guam and Taipei.
“We appeal for understanding and support as our airport authorities undertake these much-needed upgrades on our runways,” CEB management said.
“Aside from on-going, daily rehabilitation work, Manila runway operations will have additional restrictions on February 15, 16, 22 and 23 for the installation of runway lights,” the airline added.
CEB management also said all affected air travelers and clients of Cebu Pacific and its sister airline CebGo have been informed of the schedule changes via contact details provided upon booking.
Passengers have been given options to rebook their flights for travel within 30 days from original departure date, place the cost of the ticket in a travel fund for future use, or get a full refund.
“Passengers who booked through a travel agent or any other third party are likewise encouraged to provide the airline with their updated contact details, so they are directly advised about any flight changes,” the airline added.
The Manila International Airport Authority earlier announced it is set to implement this year major projects, including the runway improvement, worth P414 million at NAIA.
“These aimed to further improve our service and for the safety and convenience of air travelers,” said MIAA general manager Eddie Monreal.
MIAA is also hastening the completion of five ongoing projects worth P814 million, which include the repair and upgrading of Taxiway Hotel (H-1) and runway markings – Charlie 1, Charlie 2, Charlie 3, Charlie 4, and Charlie 5.
Also being implemented are the milling, paving and overlaying of Runway 06/24, the detailed and engineering design and construction management system of Runway 13/31, and maintenance services for the Mitsubishi elevators, escalators, and moving walkways in NAIA terminals 1, 2 and 3.