Naia. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
MANILA, Philippies–The number of cancelled flights to and from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on Monday rose to 207 as Tropical Storm “Ruby” moved from Visayas to Luzon.
While some airlines chose to ground their aircraft, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has reopened at least six of the airports shut down earlier due to Ruby’s continued lashing.
“All 41 airports are now open for commercial operations but landing and takeoffs are still subject to prevailing aerodrome (airplane’s path) weather conditions,” the CAAP said in a statement issued on Monday.
In its Notice to Airmen (Notam) on Monday, the CAAP allowed aircraft to operate in airports in Tacloban in Leyte, Catarman in Northern Samar, Calbayog in Samar, Legazpi in Albay, Naga in Camarines Sur, and Masbate, canceling the earlier Notam it issued.
This is after CAAP has assessed that the airports are safe and ready for commercial use.
At the Tacloban airport, however, only the turbo-propeller aircraft has been allowed to land and take off due to the limitation of its runway, which has been undergoing repair.
Retired general Rodante Joya, chief financial officer of the CAAP, said air travel is now safe as Ruby continues to weaken as of Monday. But it is up to the airlines to determine the weather conditions along their air routes.
As of 2 p.m. on Monday, the Manila International Airport Authority reported at least 207 flight cancellations due to the bad weather caused by Typhoon Ruby.
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