FLAG carrier Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific Air have separately canceled flights to and from Osaka, Japan following the temporary closure of Kainsai International Airport affected by flooding and closure of an access bridge to the mainland.
PAL said Wednesday it canceled its Sept. 5 and 6 flights: 12 flights were affected—PR 408 and 407 Osaka (Kansai)- Manila-Osaka (Kansai), PR 410 and 409 Cebu-Osaka (Kansai)-Cebu, and PR 896 and 897 Taipei-Osaka (Kansai)-Taipei, all scheduled on Sept. 5.
The cancelled flights on Sept. 6 were PR 408 and 407 Osaka (Kansai)-Manila -Osaka (Kansai), PR 410 and 409 Cebu- Osaka (Kansai)-Cebu and PR 896 and 897 Taipei-Osaka (Kansai)-Taipei.
In a statement, PAL management said the flights to and from Tokyo Haneda, Tokyo Narita, Nagoya and Fukuoka as well as flights to and from Taipei would continue to operate based on published schedules as these areas are not affected by the typhoon.
“Land transport between the City of Osaka (Kansai) and Kansai International Airport was cut off after a connecting bridge was hit and damaged by a tanker which had been blown by strong winds,” PAL stated.
“Due to the damage caused by Typhoon “Jebi,” operations at the Kansai International Airport are currently suspended until further notice. As a result, the following Cebu Pacific flights are canceled tomorrow, Sept. 06, 2018: 5J 828 Manila-Osaka (02:55 pm 08:10 pm) and 5J 827 Osaka-Manila (09:15 pm 12:25 am),” CEB said in a statement.
The airline management also said the passengers are already being notified and have the following options—rebook flights for travel within 30 days from original date of departure; reroute to Narita (Tokyo) or Nagoya, subject to seat availability; convert into a travel fund for future use; and get a full refund.
PAL said: “Repair work on the damaged bridge will start once weather conditions improve. Ferry service to and from the mainland is being hampered by the high tide caused by heavy/continuous rainfall.
“PAL is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates, as needed. Affected passengers will be rebooked on regular flights or replacement flights, if any.”
The airlines advised affected passengers they would be given a travel notification via email and or phone call or via text message.
Reports showed that Kansai International Airport was closed after Japan was hit by the strongest typhoon in 25 years last Tuesday. At least six people have died and more than 150 others were injured.
The airport runway was completely submerged in water while the apron of several aircraft hangs over several feet of water.
The Japanese government said the airport closed all of its runways at noon Tuesday and shut down the entire facility at 3 pm due to flooding.
