Grim weather disrupts airport operations – Caap

CAAP logo/airplane at the airport on the background. INQUIRER.net FILES

MANILA, Philippines – Four airports suspended operations on Wednesday due to the effects of Typhoon Carina (international name: Gaemi) and the southwest monsoon, according to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap). 

In its 9:30 a.m. situational report, Caap reported that the airports which suspended operations amid heavy rainfall are:

• Vigan Airport (Experiencing light rain and moderate to strong wind)
• Lingayen Airport (Experiencing light to moderate rains, apron and some parts of runway flooding)
• San Fernando Airport (Experiencing light to moderate rains)
• Baguio Airport (Experiencing moderate rains and foggy weather)

Meanwhile, the following airports partially suspended their operations or canceled a few flights:

• Basco Airport (Only flight operations are suspended)
• San Jose Airport (Only one flight was scheduled today and  was canceled)
• Iba Airport (General Aviation training flights are suspended)

• Sangley Airport (Suspended aerodrome operations due to flooding at the runway and apron)

• Tacloban Airport (One canceled flight on Tuesday and four delayed flights on Wednesday)

• Lubang Airport (No General Aviation operations)

• Palanan Airport (Operations resumed with one flight as of the moment: Palanan-Cauayan)

• Laoag International Airport (Visual Flight Rules operations are suspended)

• Cauayan Airport (Two flights were canceled but commercial flights to coastal areas have resumed)

• Tuguegarao Airport (Four flights canceled)

Below are other airports operating normally or with no canceled flights:

• Bicol International Airport
• GenSan Airport 
• Davao International Airport 
• Pagadian Airport 
• Zamboanga International Airport 
• Dipolog Airport

CAAP said its personnel “are on heightened alert to ensure the safety and assistance of all passengers during this period.”

According to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration’s 5 a.m. bulletin,  Carina was last spotted some 290 kilometers northeast of Itbayat, Batanes, moving northwest at 25 kilometers per hour (kph), with maximum sustained winds of 155 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 190 kph. 

It also enhanced the southwest monsoon or “habagat,” which is expected to bring moderate to intense rainfall to the western part of Luzon from Wednesday to Friday.