NAIA flights on hold due to technical issues –MIAA

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said on Sunday that flights to and from Manila are on hold due to technical issues with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines' (CAAP's) Air Navigation Facilities.

In its press statement, the MIAA said that CAAP was putting emergency protocols in place to address the situation at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to enable flight operations to resume as soon as possible.

For its part, the CAAP explained that technical concerns over air traffic safety were causing delays in the departure and arrival of some NAIA flights.

In an earlier tweet, Super Radyo dzBB said the information came from CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio.

Also, dzBB cited earlier calls from air passengers regarding delayed departure and arrival of domestic flights.

Partially restored

In a later statement, the agency said that as of 4 p.m., the system has been partially restored, but the issue has affected around 56,000 passengers at NAIA. Passengers at other airports nationwide were also affected.

Go here for the list of international and domestic flights that have been cancelled, diverted, or delayed.

According to the CAAP, the technical issue was first detected at 9:50 a.m. on Sunday, at the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center (ATMC), and the agency is now working to resolve the issue.

This caused a number of flight delays and diversions, which the CAAP said were “precautionary measures” to ensure the safety of passengers, the crew, and the aircraft.

“We guarantee the riding public of our continued commitment to their welfare and convenience and above all the safety of our flights,” CAAP Director General Captain Manuel Antonio Tamayo said in an emailed statement.

Meanwhile, flag carrier Philippine Airlines advised its passengers to check the status of their flights before proceeding to the airport. 

'Horrendous'

In Jamie Santos' report on 24 Oras, passengers lamented not just the cancelled flights but the costly repercussions for their travels.

“The airline said na puwede namang i-rebook for free, pero siyempre ‘yung hotel is another issue. I’ll just deal with the other problems later,” said Jenny Bayani, who was scheduled to fly to Caticlan.

Business magnate Manny V. Pangilinan said his flight from Tokyo to Manila had to return to Haneda Airport more than halfway through the trip.

“[Six] hours of useless flying but inconvenience to travelers and losses to tourism and business are horrendous. Only in the PH. Sigh,” he said in a tweet. 

Food, lodging

In a statement, the Department of Transportation said that it was "on top" of the situation, and that it has "directed different airline partners to provide food, refreshments, transportation, lodging and accommodation for all affected passengers, free of charge."

It added that CAAP and MIAA have distributed Malasakit Kits and food packs to stranded passengers.

"DOTr also instructed the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) deployment of shuttle buses to take affected NAIA passengers to Clark International Airport," it said. —LBG/KG/DVM/BM, GMA Integrated News