MANILA, Philippines — The Ninoy Aquino International Aiport (Naia) reopened its runways for the recovery flights of local carriers, Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) General Manager Ed Monreal said Tuesday evening.
This after MIAA earlier closed NAIA’s terminals from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. due to inclement weather brought about by Typhoon Tisoy.
Emerging from a joint consultation with representatives from the airline operators’ councils and the state weather bureau, Monreal said Miaa has been informed that the weather condition has improved.
“We have commonly agreed that from six this evening we will open the runway and the airport operation only for recovery flights,” Monreal told reporters in a press briefing.
Monreal said that this would allow domestic carriers to bring back all their aircraft to Manila that was preemptively evacuated to other local airports due to the typhoon.
“They will be given the priority to bring in from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. all their aircraft that have been redeployed or have been evacuated to various airports in the country,” he said.
“The reason why we allowed this scenario is to ensure that the majority of the flights will be operated by tomorrow,” he added.
He said that a total of 53 aircraft will be brought in during that period.
Eight aircraft will be brought in by the Philippine Airlines, 15 from AirAsia and 30 Cebu Pacific and CebGo aircraft.
Monreal said regular flight operations would resume after 11 p.m.
Priority will be given to scheduled flights arriving or departing from 11 p.m. onwards, he added.
He also said that the daily maintenance closure of Naia’s runway from 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. will be suspended for at least three days to this time to accommodate flights affected by the 12-hour closure of the Naia terminals provided that the airlines have approved recovery slots from the Miaa.
Approved slots ensure availability of runway and terminal capacity.
“During 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m., that period will be allotted to international or foreign carriers that will request for recovery flights meaning kung may mga additional flights sila ngayon na gustong idagdag, dun po namin sila ipapasok at dun ho sila magdarating and mag-aalis,” Monreal said.
(During 1:30 a.m. to 3:30 a.m., that period will be allotted to international or foreign carriers that will request for recovery flights meaning if they want to mount additional flights, we will put them in that slot where their aircraft can fly in and out).
The Miaa chief, meanwhile, reminded airline operators to stand ready for recovery operations and to advise their handling agents to maximize the deployment of people to service all requirements.
He also appealed to airline passengers not to head to the airport unless they have confirmed bookings.
He advised travelers to contact their airline carriers so they can be properly guided about rebooking procedures.