Cebu Pacific working to gradually resume flights

Budget carrier Cebu Pacific is working to gradually resume flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) starting 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020.

“Following the effects of ashfall, Cebu Pacific is working towards the gradual resumption of flights at NAIA beginning 11 a.m. today, January 13,” it said in an advisory.

“We are conducting maintenance checks on all aircraft prior to restarting flights to ensure safety,” the airline added.

Flights arriving at the NAIA were suspended from 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 12, while flights departing NAIA were suspended from 6:22 p.m. the same day.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have yet to make any announcement on the resumption of operations.

The MIAA and the CAAP were still assessing the situation on Monday morning, according to an advisory issued by the MIAA.

“The resumption of flight operations depend on the state of ash clouds within the NAIA aerodrome as well as the ash fall along the runways and taxiways,” the MIAA said.

“Airplanes will be allowed to land and take-off only when the airspace and runways are clear of volcanic debris. As soon as ash stops falling from the sky, the ash fall will have to be washed off the runways and taxiways before flights are allowed to resume,” it added.

The MIAA advised passengers to check with their airline companies first on the status of their flights before proceeding to NAIA.