PAL to begin normal flights Tuesday noon

Philippine Airlines FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Airlines on Monday said it would begin normal operations by noon of Dec. 9 when Tropical Storm Ruby is expected to exit Manila.

In its Flight Bulletin #7, aircraft that were ferried to different provincial stations to escape the typhoon will begin to fly back to Manila starting at 7 a.m.

Also, its international flight particularly those leaving on Dec. 8 for Los Angeles and San Francisco, will depart as scheduled. The early morning arrivals of the two trans-Pacific flights for Dec. 9 are expected at 8 a.m.

Meanwhile, aircraft from Laoag, Dipolog, Cagayan de Oro, Dumaguete, Tuguegarao, Surigao and Cebu will begin returning to Manila carrying stranded passengers as early as 7 a.m.

However, flights to Tacloban are expected to resume on Dec. 10, Wednesday. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) restricted Tacloban airport to military and general aviation operations. Flights are off limits to commercial flights up to Dec. 9 to give way for the delivery of relief goods to typhoon affected areas.

On Dec. 10, PAL plans to operate four Manila-Tacloban-Manila flights using turboprop aircraft while the airport and the passenger terminal undergo repair.

PAL has canceled more than 110 flights since Dec. 6 due to Ruby, affecting around 13,000 passengers.

PAL reminded passengers of canceled flights to rebook for travel within 30 days from original flight date, with rebooking fees/charges waived.

If a passenger is unable to rebook on the same fare class, rebooking on a higher booking class will be allowed, with fare difference also waived, PAL said.