APEC led to losses for hotels, airlines

MANILA, Philippines – While the Philippine government spent billions of pesos to host the year-long Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings, local airlines suffered foregone revenues from cancelling flights from November 16 to 19 this year.

Select hotels in Metro Manila, meanwhile, were on lockdown while they served as temporary residences of the APEC economic leaders and delegates.

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said last week in a radio interview that the government spent around P10 billion ($212 million) for facilities, preparatory events, and APEC meetings that started in January.

PAL, Cebu Pacific report losses

With the cancellation of over 1,000 flights because of the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting on November 18 to 19, Philippine Airlines, Incorporated and Cebu Pacific, Incorporated, lost around $27.22 million in revenues.

"Cebu Pacific estimates a revenue loss of P400 million ($8.47 million) from flight cancellations due to the APEC meeting," Paterno Mantaring Jr, officer-in-charge of Cebu Pacific's corporate affairs said in a text message.

Cebu Pacific cancelled a total of 847 flights last week to accommodate the APEC summit.

Meanwhile, PAL estimated its revenue losses to hit $18.75 million from the cancellation of 699 flights from November 15 to November 19. 

"PAL cancelled 699 flights covering the 5-day period. The 699 flights represent close to 50% of the total number of flights within the 5-day period. Lost revenue would be an estimated $18.75 million," PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna replied via a text message.

"Within the same period, there were flights that were operational during the ‘open window’ segments, during which take-offs and landings were allowed," Villaluna added.

The PAL spokesperson, however, said the "long-term benefits of APEC outweigh these aforementioned losses."

Philippines' AirAsia also cancelled 186 flights due to the APEC meet, but its officials could not be reached for comment on the losses incurred.

Both international and domestic passengers were affected last week by delayed and cancelled flights due to the lockdown of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Now, flight operations at NAIA have already returned to normal.

Hotels on lockdown

Like NAIA, some hotels in Metro Manila were also on lockdown during the APEC summit.

Sofitel Philippine Plaza once again hosted US President Barack Obama, mainly because of the hotel’s proximity to the US Embassy and Manila Bay.