A total of six flights was affected after a pothole was spotted on the runway of the Iloilo International Airport. 

Four of which are Cebu Pacific flights, one Philippine Airlines flight, and one Air Asia flight.

A 35-year-old Ilongga named Diane Juntado arrived at the airport hours ahead of her scheduled flight, but instead of the estimated arrival at 7 a.m. in Iloilo, she arrived at 2 p.m.

“Birthday ng mom ko and we had a whole-day plan for her so medyo sad lang kasi na-delay and pati plans namin, affected sa pagka-delay ng flight,” Diane, a passenger said.

Diane said that twice they were deplaned.

“Twice kami nag-board, twice din na-deplane. Kawawa ang mga seniors at PWD [persons with disability], aakyat then bababâ so sana naman, may communication sila,” Diane pointed out.

Diane was one of several passengers affected by the temporary closure of the  Iloilo International Airport runway, from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on December 22, 2024.

According to the terminal supervisor of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Iloilo, who refused an on-cam interview,  emergency repair works were carried out because of a pothole on the runway.

He said that the temporary closure gave way to repair works that have ensured safety of passengers and crew.

CAAP-Iloilo issued immediately a Notice to Airmen on the repair works.

Flight operations resumed normalcy past 11 a.m. on December 22, 2024.

On December 23, 2024, no domestic flights were reported delayed. However, one flight from Hong Kong was delayed for two hours because of the domino effect of the repair works.

Iloilo City Mayor Jerry Treñas expressed dismay over the incident.

He called for a meeting with the officials of CAAP Iloilo.

“Sa part ng city government, ang priority natin ang safety ng mga turista especially sa Ilonggos, we really need to secure ng kanilang safety so naintindihan din iyon ng alkalde,” Joy Fantilaga, spokesperson of the mayor, said.