Local Airline To Prioritize Relief Distribution Teams; Limits Cebu, Siargao Commercial Flights
A local airline spokesperson announced that they will prioritize relief distribution teams in their flights to and from Cebu and Siargao following the wake of Typhoon Odette which ravaged parts of Visayas and Mindanao and displaced countless civilians in the affected areas.
IMAGE from Philippine Red Cross Facebook page
Cebu Pacific (CEB) spokesperson Carmina Romero said this after a notice to airmen was issued to the Surigao and Siargao airports which promptly canceled all commercial flights.
“CEB ticket holders remain our priority. Right now, we have very limited capacity for the passengers we can board and this is due to technical and aircraft capability because wind condition is also a factor in aircraft capacity. So, flights will always depend on the weather and wind condition. Humanitarian flights include carrying stranded individuals to Manila,” she added.
Romero said mounting more flights will also depend on the situation at the airport. She cited for instance that Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu, which is also under a state of calamity, has resumed operations but only for limited domestic flights.
Around 600 CEB employees based in Cebu were also affected by Odette. They were provided assistance, such as basic needs, food, and water. An augmentation team was sent to man the counters so flight operations can continue in Cebu.
Romero said the estimated 25,000 CEB passengers affected by cancellations may opt to refund, rebook, or place the ticket value into a travel fund for future use. Those who want to postpone travel even if their flights were not canceled can rebook or avail of the travel fund option.
Source: Philippine News Agency
