Flights canceled as 6 airports shut down due to Ruby

MANILA, Philippines—In a move to avoid stranding passengers in areas affected by Typhoon Ruby (international name: Hagupit), airlines and aviation officials canceled flights and shut down at least six domestic airports even before the typhoon made landfall.

In an advisory, the Manila International Airport Authority said at least 48 Cebu Pacific flights to and from the Visayas and the Bicol region were canceled Saturday in anticipation of the strong winds and heavy rains brought by the typhoon.

Low-cost carrier AirAsia likewise announced on Saturday the cancelation of its 27 Sunday flights and the suspension of all its domestic and international flights on Monday and Tuesday “for safety and operational concerns due to Typhoon Ruby.”

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) decided to shut down at least six domestic airports in Tacloban in Leyte, Catarman in Northern Samar, Calbayog in Samar, Legazpi in Albay, Naga in Camarines Sur, and Masbate.

“We issued a notice to airmen today. We decided to close the airports in coordination with the airlines so that no passengers will be stranded as a consequence of the typhoon,” Rodante Joya, chief financial officer of CAAP, told the Inquirer by telephone.

Even small private aircraft are not allowed to take off or land in these airports, he said.

Joya said the notice to airmen will be lifted as soon as the typhoon leaves the Philippine Area of Responsibility.

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