Cebu Pacific: Flight network ‘choked,’ cancelations needed

Photo from Cebu Pacific

MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Pacific on Monday said it canceled flights from Sunday (April 28) to Tuesday (April 30) to restore normal flight schedules following “several factors” that “choked” its network.

The clarification was issued as the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) is set to investigate the flight cancelations.

READ: LIST: Cancelled Cebu Pacific, CebGo flights from April 28-30

“We cannot put one reason in particular, maraming kadahilanan. Hindi na makahinga at wala kaming choice,” (There’s a number of factors. It [network] could no longer breathe and we were left with no choice) Charo Logarta-Lagamon, Cebu Pacific spokesperson, said in an interview with dzMM.

“Kumbaga kung nabubulunan na kailangan na nating tanggaling yung bara,” (Imagine someone choking and the obstruction needs to be removed) she added.

Logarta-Lagamon further said, “Masakit at mahirap mang gawin, wala kaming choice kundi magbawas, magkansela ng mga flight para maibalik, mai-restore ‘yung network sa normal.” (It pains us and it’s difficult to do, [however] we have no choice but to cancel flights to restore normalcy in the network)

She cited a bird strike and flight delays.

“Meron kaming mga eroplano na may sira. Isa, in particular, natamaan ng ibon, na-bird strike. Hindi siya makalipad kasi damaged. Kasama na rin diyan dahil peak season ngayon. Nagkaroon tayo ng rolling delays. Kapag na-delay yung isang linya ng paglipad, sunod-sunod na yan, Chain reaction na,” she added.

(We have planes needing maintenance. In particular, one suffered a bird strike. It cannot fly due to the damage. Then, it’s the peak season. Rolling delays occurred. Once delays hit a flight line, it creates a chain reaction.)

Logarta-Lagamon apologized to Cebu Pacific passengers affected by the cancelation of about 50 domestic flights.

“We extend every possible help that we can to passengers” affected and we appeal for patience, she said.

“This is first time. Kailangan lang nating bigyan ng time na ma-restore at ma-correct yung network,” (We only need time to restore and correct the network) she added.

In a separate interview, CAB chief legal officer Wyrlou Samodio said they were looking into the flight cancelations at Cebu Pacific.

“Aalamin natin. Hindi pwedeng basta sabihin na may air traffic, dahil may ibang airlines na nakakalipad. Bakit sila hindi?” (We are investigating. It cannot just be blamed on air traffic because other airlines are taking off. Why can’t they?) Samodio said.

Samodio said they would investigate the factors given by Cebu Pacific to justify the cancelations and summon airline officials, if necessary.

“Kahapon nag-gather na kami ng data para alamin yan. Mamaya may meeting kami at kung kailangang ipatawag ang Cebu Pacific, ipapatawag namin,” (We started gathering data to determine facts. Later, we will have a meeting and we will summon Cebu Pacific, if needed) he said. /cbb