Zamboanga City receives first commercial flight amid conflict

AFP FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – A Cebu Pacific airplane arrived in Zamboanga City Thursday morning, 11 days after conflict between the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) and government forces grounded all commercial flights to and from the city.

Radyo Inquirer 990AM said Cebu Pacific 5J849 arrived in the city before 10:30 a.m. with 18 passengers, including Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Deputy Director Capt. John Andrews.

“The airport complex…is very very secured. Because we will not open the airport unless we are sure that there is no danger as far as the airport is concerned,” Andrews told Radyo Inquirer 990AM before the flight.

He said government forces have the situation under control with the MNLF fighters “contained in a very small area.”

The Cebu Pacific Airbus 320, large enough to carry 180 passengers, left Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 8:53 a.m.

On Wednesday, CAAP announced the resumption of Zamboanga Airport operations with the Cebu Pacific special round-trip flight. The airline also asked guests originally booked for September 19 if they would take the special flight, rebook or get a refund.

Andrews said everything was in order except a miscommunication on the amount of baggage allowed. Cebu Pacific had announced that passengers may only bring one carry-on bag for the special flight.

The CAAP official earlier refused to divulge if it was true that a Philippine Air Force craft will help secure the plane.

However, a television news report later said the plane was escorted by military helicopters and upon arrival was inspected by Interior Secretary Manuel “Mar” Roxas II.

Roxas, in a televised interview, said the resumption of commercial flights was a step towards normalcy in the city. He said they will soon assess if it would be possible to have two flights per airline on Friday.

At 11 am, Roxas said on Twitter the Cebu Pacific plane had left for Manila.

A Philippine Airlines flight is also expected to arrive in Zamboanga City Thursday afternoon.

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