PAL cancels 53 international and local flights

Inquirer file photo

A total of 53 international and local flights of Philippine Airlines (PAL) were canceled Monday due to operational problems of the national flag carrier, according to the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

Also on Monday, the PAL management said it requested heavier police presence in and around Terminal 2 of Ninoy Aquino Internal Airport (Naia) due to numerous complaints of harassment and acts of violence against PAL volunteers and service providers.

Last Sunday, 65 foreign and domestic flights of PAL were also canceled due to the same problems.

The following PAL international flights were canceled: PR 318 and PR 312 Manila-Hong Kong and PR 319 and PR 313, Hong Kong-Manila; PR 501 Manila-Singapore and PR 512 Singapore-Manila; PR 732 Manila-Bangkok and PR 733 Bangkok-Manila; PR 352 Manila-Macau and PR 353 Macau-Manila; PR 416 Manila-Busan and PR 417 Busan-Manila; and PR 758 Manila-New Delhi.

Forty domestic flights to and from the following PAL destinations were also canceled: Cebu City, Davao City, Bacolod City, Laoag City, Roxas City, Cagayan de Oro City, Legazpi City, Butuan City and Dumaguete City.

Meanwhile, 24 local PAL flights to Roxas City, Puerto Princesa City, Iloilo City, Cagayan del Oro, Dipolog City, Tagbilaran City, and Kalibo, Aklan, among others, were serviced at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Terminal 3 instead of Terminal 2 due to what the airline company called “operational requirements.”

On Sunday, Joey de Guzman, PAL vice president for corporate communications, told the Philippine Daily Inquirer that at least “95 percent of our international flights and 60 percent of our domestic flights are back to normal operations.”

Harassment hit

PAL on Monday said it asked the Aviation Security Group and Southern Police District to deploy more policemen especially in areas where PAL workers pass on their way to and from work.

“We deplore, in the strongest possible terms, the harassment perpetrated by former PAL employees against our volunteers and service providers. These workers selflessly share their time and skills to keep PAL flying. They deserve protection from authorities,” the airline said in a statement.

PAL management said it had received numerous complaints of verbal abuse and damage done to vehicles of PAL volunteers and former union members who decided to join PAL’s new service providers.

“This morning, ex-PAL employees led by former Palea (employees’ union) leaders stormed the Charter House Hotel in Makati with a very open and clear intention of harassing PAL volunteers from various outstations. This and many other forms of abuse are the kind of harassment we’re talking about,” PAL said.

The company stressed that PAL volunteers from its provincial stations—composed of licensed ground equipment operators—were not “scabs” but legitimate workers performing official functions.

PAL said it also asked the police to watch out for former PAL employees who take buses and jeepneys en route to Naia Terminal 2 “with the aim of verbally abusing PAL workers and volunteers on their way to work.” Jerry E. Esplanada

Originally posted: 2:01 pm | Monday, October 10th, 2011