Flight landing restrictions in Tagbilaran lifted

TAGBILARAN CITY—Plane flights resumed at the city airport on Wednesday after civil aviation authorities lifted landing restrictions for big aircraft after an Air Philippines/PAL Express Airbus A320 encountered engine problems upon arrival on Saturday.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) disallowed the landing of two planes at a time at the airport, which has a limited runway and apron, for safety considerations. It clarified in a post on its Twitter account that the runway was not closed but allowed only smaller aircraft to land “due to limited ramp space.”

The disabled aircraft of Air Philippines was scheduled to depart on Saturday afternoon for Manila after landing with 100 passengers and six crew members on board.

At least 1, 200 passengers were affected on Sunday after eight flights including from Air Asia and Cebu Pacific were canceled. Air Asia scrapped its Sunday flights, while Cebu Pacific reset several Manila-Tagbilaran-Manila flights on Sunday and Monday morning.

Tour operator Flor Lawangon said the flight cancellations to Tagbilaran, the main gateway to the province, and the lack of proper coordination and information had affected her business. “It cost me a lot to rebook some tickets for my guests,” she said.

On Monday, PAL resumed its 10 a.m. flight while Air Asia and Cebu Pacific resumed theirs in the afternoon, said said Vangie Sarcol, Caap-Tagbilaran office assistant. “We have normal flights now,” Sarcol said. Leo Udtohan, Inquirer Visayas