Quake impact on Cebu, Bohol airports ‘minimal’

MANILA, Philippines – Damage caused by the 7.2 magnitude earthquake to both Mactan-Cebu International and Tagbilaran airports is minimal, according to Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya. 

In a text message to Rappler, Abaya said the “[The damage is] minimal. Both airports already operational as of 10:30 am, Cebu was operational earlier,” he added.

Flights to and from Cebu and Tagbilaran were earlier cancelled after a temporary closure of both airports. Resumption of flights, however, started at 10:30 in the morning. 

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Deputy Director General John Andrews in a phone interview with Rappler said there is no reported damage to the tower, terminal building and runway in the Cebu airport. 

“That’s why flights have resumed, “ Andrews noted. 

The Tagbilaran airport, however, suffered slight damage, according to Andrews.

“The ceiling of the second floor of the terminal collapsed, “ he added.

Andrews stressed that debris from the collapsed ceiling have already been cleared.

Traffic of planes at the Tagbilaran airport, however, remains slow and limited as only one aircraft is allowed to take off and land at a time. 

“Bohol is still experiencing strong aftershocks so only one aircraft at a time, “ the deputy director added. – Rappler.com