DOTr: Air traffic system partially restored as 282 flights affected by glitch

After technical issues with the air traffic management system of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) led to Ninoy Aquino International Airport flights being canceled, delayed, and diverted, the system was partially restored late Sunday afternoon.

“As of (4:00 p.m.), the system was partially restored, allowing limited flight operations,” said the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

“The glitch which affected the entire Philippines is a developing situation that is continuously being monitored by MIAA (Manila International Airport Authority) and the AOC (Airline Operators Council),” it added.

Over 280 flights to and from Manila were affected by air traffic system trouble — 268 were canceled, seven diverted, and seven delayed as of 4 p.m., with around 56 ,000 passengers at NAIA affected. Passengers at other airports nationwide were also affected.

Below is a list of the affected flights:

Canceled 

International:

Cebu Pacific (5J)

• 5J922/5J923 MNL-FUK-MNL
• 5J828/5J827 MNL-KIX-MNL
• 5J112/5J113 MNL-HKG-MNL
• 5J805/5J806 MNL-SIN-MNL
• 5J745 HAN-MNL
• 5J814 SIN-MNL
• 5J 5056/5057 MNL-NRT-MNL
• 5J930 BKK-MNL
• 5J5039 NGO-MNL

Japan Airlines (JL)

• JL 741/742 NRT-MNL-NRT

Philippine Airlines (PR)

• PR 507/508 MNL-SIN-MNL
• PR 501/512 MNL-SIN-MNL
• PR 306/307 – MNL-HKG-MNL
• PR 418.419 MNL-PUS-MNL
• PR 468/469 MNL-ICN-MNL
• PR 730/731 MNL-BKK-MNL
• PR 597/598 MNL-SGN-MNL
• PR 736/737 MNL-BKK-MNL
• PR 654/655 MNL-RUH-MNL
• PR 684/685 MNL-DOH-MNL
• PR 682/683 MNL-DMM-MNL
• PR 658/659 MNL-DXB-MNL
• PR 432 MNL-NRT
• PR 408 MNL-KIX
• PR 894/895 MNL-TPE-MNL

Philippines AirAsia (Z2)

• Z2 501/502 MNL-BKI-MNL

Domestic:

AirSwift (T6)

• T6 126 MNL-ENI
• T6 142 MNL-ENI
• T6 146 MNL-ENI
• T6 154 MNL-ENI

Cebu Pacific (5J)

• 5J 375/376 MNL-RXS-MNL
• 5J 887/888 MNL-CBO-MNL
• 5J 773/774 MNL-PAG-MNL
• 5J 506/507 MNL-TUG-MNL
• 5J 905/906 MNL-MPH-MNL
• 5J 901/902 MNL-MPH-MNL
• 5J 781/782 MNL-OZC-MNL
• 5J 659/660 MNL-TAC-MNL
• 5J 899/900 MNL-MPH-MNL
• 5J 327/328 MNL-LGP-MNL
• 5J 909/910 MNL-MPH-MNL
• 5J 581/582 MNL-CEB-MNL
• 5J 783/784 MNL-OZC-MNL
• 5J 903/904 MNL-MPH-MNL
• 5J 655/656 MNL-TAC-MNL
• 5J 897/898 MNL-MPH-MNL
• 5J 487/488 MNL-BCD-MNL
• 5J 9 11/912 MNL-BCD-MNL
• 5J 639/640 MNL-PPS-MNL
• 5J 2001/2002 MNL-MPH-MNL
• 5J 859/860 MNL-ZAM-MNL
• 5J 853/854 MNL-ZAM-MNL
• 5J 855/856 MNL-ZAM-MNL
• 5J 505 TUG-MNL
• 5J 896 MPH-MNL
• 5J 794 BXU-MNL
• 5J 624 DGT-MNL
• 5J 565/566 MNL-CEB-MNL
• 5J 617/618 MNL-TAG-MNL
• 5J 553/554 MNL-CEB-MNL
• 5J 391/392 MNL-CGY-MNL
• 5J 458 ILO-MNL
• 5J 449/450 MNL-ILO-MNL
• 5J 483/484 MNL-BCD-MNL
• 5J 685/686 MNL-TAG-MNL
• 5J 995/996 MNL-GES-MNL
• 5J 977/978 MNL-DVO-MNL
• 5J 993/994 MNL-GES-MNL
• 5J 384 CGY-MNL
• 5J 486 BCD-MNL
• 5J 964 DVO-MNL
• 5J 952 DVO-MNL
• 5J 280 DPS-MNL
• 5J 951 MNL-DVO
• 5J 653/654 MNL-TAC-MNL
• 5J 629/630 MNL-DGT-MNL
• 5J 477/478 MNL-BCD-MNL
• 5J 389/390 MNL-CGY-MNL
• 5J 787/788 MNL BXU-MNL
• 5J 569/570 MNL-CEB-MNL
• 5J 455/456 MNL-ILO-MNL
• 5J 638 PPS-MNL
• 5J 852 ZAM-MNL

Cebgo (DG)

• DG6117/6118 MNL-WNP-MNL
• DG 6243/6244 MNL-MPH-MNL
• DG 6047/6048 MNL-USU-MNL
• DG 6195/6196 MNL-LGP-MNL
• DG 6043/6044 MNL-USU-MNL
• DG 6051/6052 MNL-USU-MNL
• DG 6881/6882 MNL-SUG-MNL
• DG 6575/6576 CEB-MNL-CEB
• DG 6056 USU-MNL
• DG 6839/6840 MNL-IAO-MNL
• DG 6245/6246 MNL-MPH-MNL
• DG 6247/6248 MNL-MPH-MNL

PAL Express (2P)

• 2P 2142/2143 ILO-MNL-ILO
• 2P 2144 ILO-MNL
• 2145/2146 MNL-ILO-MNL
• 2P 2147/2148 MNL-ILO-MNL
• 2P 2853/2854 MNL-CEB-MNL
• 2P 2861/2862 – MNL-CEB-MNL
• 2P 2817/2818 MNL-DVO-MNK
• 2P 2960 CBO-MNL
• 2P 2919/2920 MNL-DRP-MNL (LGP)
• 2P 2924 LGP-MNL
• 2P 2132 BCD-MNL
• 2P 2133/2134 MNL-BCD-MNL
• 2P 2135/2136 MNL-BCD-MNL
• 2P 2041/2042 MNL-MPH-MNL
• 2P 2043/2044 MNL-MPH-MNL
• 2P 2045/2046 MNL-MPH-MNL
• 2P 2047/2048 MNL-MPH-MNL
• 2P 2985/2986 MNL-TAC-MNL
• 2P 2987/2988 MNL-TAC-MNL
• 2P 2938/2939 MNL-BXU-MNL
• 2P 2543/2544 MNL-DGT-MNL
• 2P 2546 DGT-MNL
• 2P 2783/2784 MNL-PAG-MNL
• 2P 2970 KLO-MNL
• 2P 2787/2788 MNL-PPS-MNL
• 2P 2774 TAG-MNL
• 2P 2777/2778 MNL-TAG-MNL
• 2P 2997/2998 MNL-ZAM-MNL
• 2P 2522 CGY-MNL
• 2P 2525/2526 MNL-CGY-MNL
• 2P 2529/2530 MNL-CGY-MNL
• 2P 2196/2197 MNL-LAO-MNL
• 2P 2198/2199 MNL-LAO-MNL
• 2P 2079/2080 MNL-CRM-MNL
• 2P 2971/2972 MNL-IAO-MNL
• 2P 2973/2974 MNL-IAO-MNL
• 2P 2963/2964 MNL-USU-MNL
• 2P 2965/2966 MNL-USU-MNL

Philippine AirAsia (Z2)

• Z2 217/218 MNL-MPH-MNL
• Z2 221/222 MNL-MPH-MNL
• Z2 220 MPH-MNL
• Z2 604 BCD/MNL
• Z2 652 ZAM/MNL
• Z2 782/783 CEB-MNL-CEB
• Z2 309/310 MNL-ILO-MNL
• Z2 430/431 MNL-PPS-MNL
• Z2 691/692 MNL-CGY-MNL
• Z2 693/694 MNL-CGY-MNL
• Z2 331/332 MNL-TAC-MNL
• Z2 711/712 MNL-KLO-MNL
• Z2 715/716 MNL-KLO-MNL
• Z2 358/359 MNL-TAG-MNL
• Z2 605/606 MNL-BCD-MNL
• Z2 327/328 MNL-TAC-MNL
• Z2 777/778 MNL-CEB-MNL
• Z2 767/768 MNL-CEB-MNL
• Z2 697/698 MNL-CGY-MNL

Diverted 

International flights:

Gulf Air (GF)

• GF 154/155 BAH-MNL-BAH (Diverted to HKG)

Saudia Airlines (SV)

• SV 862 RUH-MNL (Diverted to BKK)

Thai Airways (TG)

• TG 620 BKK-MNL (Diverted to BKK)

Malaysia Airlines (MH)

• MH 806 KUL-MNL (Diverted to SGN)

Philippine Airlines (PR)

• PR 216 POM-MNL 1205H (Diverted to DVO)

Domestic flights:

Philippine Airlines (PR)

• PR 454 GES-MNL 1150H (Diverted to DVO)

DELAYED 

Domestic flights:

• CebGo (DG)
• DG 6047 MNL-USU
• DG 6881 MNL- SUG
• DG 6043 MNL-USU

Philippines AirAsia (Z2)

• Z2 358 MNL-TAG
• Z2 309 MNL-ILO
• Z2 359 MNL-TAG
• Z2 693 MNL-CGY

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) earlier said that flights to and from Manila were 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.

The MIAA apologized for the delays that would occur as a result of the situation.

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.

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 was working to resolve the issue.

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

“While we acknowledge and apologize for any inconvenience brought by the incident, rest assured that DOTr, with CAAP, MIAA, and other airport stakeholders, are working tirelessly to restore full operations at our ATMC, and safely bring home all affected passengers,” DOTr Secretary Jaime Bautista said in a separate statement.

“We graciously appeal for everyone’s patience and understanding,” he added.

In a separate statement, the Manila Electric Company (Meralco) said it is closely coordinating with the NAIA management regarding the situation.

“Upon initial analysis, there were no trouble or issues affecting Meralco distribution facilities and no power outage or fluctuation was likewise monitored or reported as far as Meralco’s power lines and facilities are concerned,” it said.

“Meralco is currently onsite and ready to provide assistance if needed by airport authorities,” it added.

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.

'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. —LBG/DVM/BM, GMA Integrated News