Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced the rescheduling of several flights to New Zealand and Australia because of the ongoing repair of an aviation fuel pipeline at the Auckland airport in New Zealand.
However, PAL said in a statement, its operations “remain unhampered” in Auckland and in Cairns, Australia, which is the airline’s hub in Australia, New Zealand and other South Pacific destinations.
PAL said the damaged pipeline had resulted in the temporary rationing of fuel to airplanes departing Auckland.
“Auckland airport continues to work closely with local airline representatives, oil companies and the New Zealand government to ensure a prompt resolution of this fuel disruption,” PAL added.
The airline said it sent fuel to Auckland last Tuesday and Thursday for the use of its planes.
“Despite the cost of an aircraft upgrading, PAL opted to carry out such measure to ensure that operations continue for the benefit of the flying public.
Consequently, PAL said it would be reducing its four weekly flights from Manila to Auckland via Cairns to two flights but using the wide-body 363-seater A330.
Passengers booked for flight PR-218 (Manila-Cairns-Auckland) on Sept. 24 and 28 will be accommodated on Sept. 25 and 29, respectively.
Those booked for PR-219 (Auckland-Cairns-Manila) will also be accommodated the day after their original schedule. —JEROME ANING