Cebu Pacific flights delayed, cancelled over new operations system upgrade

MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – Budget airline Cebu Pacific has cancelled flights Friday, October 2, and advised its passengers for consequential flight delays and cancellations as it sorts the glitch over its upgrade to a new operations system.

In a statement, Cebu Pacific said that it upgraded to a new operations system on October 1, which encountered issues that prevented it from dispatching flights on time. 

“We are working on normalizing our operations as soon as possible. For today (Friday), however, we expect consequential flight delays and cancellations, and perhaps even tomorrow (Saturday, October 3),” the statement read.

The Manila International Airport Authority has also suspended its daily early-morning (1:30 am to 3:30 am) closure of the MIAA runways in order to allow Cebu Pacific to operate its flights.

“MIAA’s decision gave Cebu Pacific extra two hours to fly passengers whose flights have been delayed and could have been cancelled had the daily runway closure not been lifted,” the airline said.

As of 5:15 pm Friday, the following Cebu Pacific flights scheduled October 2, 2015, have been cancelled:

• 5J 481/482 Manila – Bacolod – Manila
• 5J 579/582 Manila – Cebu – Manila
• 5J 583/588 Manila – Cebu – Manila 
• 5J 971/970 Manila – Davao – Manila
• 5J 629/630 Manila – Dumaguete – Manila
• 5J 114/115 Manila – Hong Kong – Manila
• 5J 455/456 Manila – Iloilo – Manila
• 5J 461/462 Manila – Iloilo – Manila
• 5J 399/400 Manila – Cagayan de Oro – Manila
• 5J 501/502 Manila – Kuala Lumpur – Manila
• 5J 647/648 Manila – Puerto Princesa – Manila
• 5J 375/376 Manila – Roxas – Manila
• 5J 813/814 Manila – Singapore – Manila

As of 7 pm Friday, Cebu Pacific announced that the Manila-Singapore-Manila has been cancelled, while it clarified that 5J 399/400 Manila – Kalibo – Manila is not cancelled but 5J 399/400 Manila – Cagayan de Oro – Manila.

As of 9 am Saturday, the airline cancelled one round trip flight 5J 813/814 Manila – Singapore – Manila.

“We sincerely hope for our passengers’ understanding as we expect some flight delays throughout the day. We continue to monitor the situation and we will provide updates as they are available,” Cebu Pacific said in a statement.

The airline said it will issue updates as they become available to keep the public and passengers informed.

The budget carrier said it is arranging the re-accommodation of affected passengers on the soonest available flights. Those who are unable to take these flights may, without penalties, rebook their flights for travel within 30 days from the original departure date or opt for full refund.

To specify their preferred option, passengers may visit Cebu Pacific’s ticket offices listed below:

• NAIA Terminal 3 Sales Office – Level 3, Departure Hall, NAIA Terminal 3, Andrews Avenue, Pasay City
• NAIA Terminal 4 Express Ticket Office – Old Domestic Road, Pasay City
• KidZania Manila (rebooking transactions only) – Park Triangle, 3245 North 11th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, 1634 Taguig City
• Robinsons Galleria – West Lane, Level 1, Ortigas Ave. cor. ADB Avenue, Quezon City
• Robinsons Place Imus – Level 4, Aguinaldo Highway Imus, Cavite
• Robinsons Place Manila – Level 1, Adriatico Wing, Pedro Gil cor. Adriatico St., Ermita, Manila
• Cebu Airport Ticket Office – Mactan International Airport, Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City
• Robinsons Fuente – Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City​

Passengers traveling between October 1-8, 2015, may refund or rebook their flights for travel within 30 days without fees. They may contact the Cebu Pacific call center +(63 2) 702-0888 for their re-accommodation.

“We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience. We will provide for the requirements of the affected passengers, including meals, refreshment, and accommodation on other airlines,” the airline said.

In January this year, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) imposed a record P52.1 million ($1.11) million) fine on Cebu Pacific over flight delays arising from cancelled flights during the Christmas holidays which affected 10,400 passengers from December 24 to 26, 2014.

The amount was directly deposited to the national treasury as mandated by Republic Act 776 otherwise known as the Civil Aeronautics Act of the Philippines.

CAB advised passengers to seek compensation from Cebu Pacific for flight delays and cancellations during the holidays, as it has no power to compel the budget airline to shell out money for affected customers.

Cebu Pacific President and CEO Lance Gokongwei later apologized and cited absenteeism for the Christmas 2014 holiday flight delays and cancellations. – Rappler.com

$1 = P46.77