MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Ninoy Aquino International Airport runways will be closed for commercial operations during the arrival and departure of Japan Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko this week, according to notice to airmen (notam) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) on Monday, January 25.
The CAAP said the runways will be closed on:
- Tuesday, January 26, from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm, for the royal couple’s arrival
- Sunday, January 31, from 11am to 12 noon, for their departure
“The royal family will be flying on flight JF001 on board a Boeing B747-400 of Japan air force and will be accompanied by his entourage on board flight JF002 with the same aircraft type,” CAAP said in a statement.
President Benigno Aquino III is set to welcome the two on Wednesday, January 27, at the Malacañang Palace.
On January 29, the two royals will visit Caliraya and Los Baños in Laguna to visit memorial sites of Filipino and Japanese veterans. They are also expected to meet with Filipino-Japanese communities during their 5-day visit. (READ: Japanese emperor to honor WWII dead during PH state visit)
Their state visit marks the 60th anniversary of the 2 countries’ diplomatic relations, earlier marred by the Second World War and the Japanese occupation of the country. Their last visit to the country was in 1962.
The Japanese royals’ visit comes at a time when the two countries are consolidating their forces in the wake of China’s aggressiveness in the South China Sea.
In June 2015, the two nations signed a Declaration for a Strengthened Strategic Partnership and its Action Plan, which was strongly condemned by China. (READ: PH beefs up defense deals amid dispute with China)
In a bilateral meeting in November, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Japan is considering providing large patrol vessels to the Philippine Coast Guard, the main agency tasked to secure the almost 40,000-km coastline of the country.
Cancelled flights
In line with the closure of NAIA runways, several Cebu Pacific and Cebgo flights have been cancelled. These are:
Tuesday, January 26
5J487/488 Manila – Bacolod – Manila
5J391/392 Manila – Cagayan de Oro – Manila
5J389/390 Manila – Cagayan de Oro – Manila
5J989/990 Manila – General Santos – Manila
5J449/450 Manila – Iloilo – Manila
5J455/456 Manila – Iloilo – Manila
5J327/328 Manila – Legazpi – Manila
5J647/648 Manila – Puerto Princesa – Manila
5J645/646 Manila – Puerto Princesa – Manila
5J375/376 Manila – Roxas – Manila
5J813/814 Manila – Singapore – Manila
5J659/660 Manila – Tacloban – Manila
5J506/507 Manila – Tuguegarao – Manila
5J857/858 Manila – Zamboanga – Manila
DG 6233/6234 Manila – Caticlan – Manila
DG 6241/6242 Manila – Caticlan – Manila
DG 6243/6244 Manila – Caticlan – Manila
DG 6117/6118 Manila – Naga – Manila
Saturday, January 30
5J487/488 Manila – Bacolod – Manila
5J785/786 Manila – Butuan – Manila
5J383/384 Manila – Cagayan de Oro – Manila
5J391/392 Manila – Cagayan de Oro – Manila
5J567/568 Manila – Cebu – Manila
5J963/964 Manila – Davao – Manila
5J975/966 Manila – Davao – Manila
5J993/994 Manila – General Santos – Manila
5J449/450 Manila – Iloilo – Manila
5J329/330 Manila – Legazpi – Manila
5J771/772 Manila – Pagadian – Manila
5J637/638 Manila – Puerto Princesa – Manila
5J659/660 Manila – Tacloban – Manila
5J504/505 Manila – Tuguegarao – Manila
5J857/858 Manila – Zamboanga – Manila
DG 6233/6234 Manila – Caticlan – Manila
DG 6235/6236 Manila – Caticlan – Manila
DG 6241/6242 Manila – Caticlan – Manila
In an advisory, Cebu Pacific and Cebgo said they are “arranging the re-accommodation of affected passengers on the soonest available flights.”
Those who are unable to take the alternative flights may, without penalties, rebook their flights for travel within 30 days from original departure date, or opt for full refund or travel fund.
To specify their preferred option, guests may call the CEB reservation hotlines: (+632)702-0888 (Manila) or (+6332)230-8888 (Cebu), or visit CEB’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, Taguig City
- Robinsons Galleria – West Lane, Level 1, Ortigas Avenue corner 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-Cebu International Airport, Lapu-Lapu Airport Road, Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu
- Robinsons Fuente – Fuente Osmeña, Cebu City
– Rappler.com
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