Emergency closure of NAIA runway brings cancelled flights

MANILA, Philippines (5th UPDATE) – One runway at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) had to be closed on Monday, July 18, for emergency repairs.

The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) announced on social media that an “emergency runway closure” was implemented on runway 06/24 due to small asphalt cracks on the runway that could damage aircraft using it.

MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal said in a statement that he ordered the temporary closure of the runway to avoid safety issues and untoward incidents to aircraft and passengers. 

The small asphalt cracks observed by airport crew in the morning got considerably bigger due to continued landings and take-offs, Monreal added.

The NAIA runway was reopened before 11 pm, Monday.

MIAA also announced it will forego the regular runway cleaning at 1:30 am to 3:30 am on Tuesday, July 19, to handle the expected influx of diverted flights. 

“The crack in the asphalt overlay of the runway is 5 inches deep, 1 meter wide, and 9 meters long. But to avoid further deterioration, a bigger area of 4m by 19m will undergo construction,” MIAA told the transportation department.

Meanwhile, Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) said 28 flights were diverted to Clark International Airport as of 8:30 am Tuesday.

The list from the CIAC included flights of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, AirAsia Zest, Emirates, Saudia, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and Turkish Airlines.

As of 6:20 pm Monday, here is the advisory on Cebu Pacific’s affected flights:

Monday, July 18

• 5J 583/588 Manila – Cebu – Manila
• 5J 557/556 Manila – Cebu – Manila
• 5J 589        Manila – Cebu
• 5J 969/972 Manila – Davao – Manila
• 5J 973/974 Manila – Davao – Manila
• 5J 981/982 Manila – Davao – Manila
• 5J 703/704 Manila – Dipolog – Manila
• 5J 014/015 Manila – Dubai – Manila
• 5J 022        Manila – Doha
• DG 6245/6246 Manila – Caticlan – Manila
• DG 6055/6056 Manila – Busuanga – Manila

Tuesday, July 19 

• 5J 590                  Cebu – Manila
• 5J 023                  Doha – Manila
• 5J 039/040           Manila – Sydney – Manila

Cebu Pacific and Cebgo passengers who were supposed to travel from Monday, July 18 (4 pm) to Tuesday, July 19 (11:59 pm) can do either of the following without any penalties:

• rebook their flights for travel within 30 days from original departure date
• opt for full refund or travel fund

PAL also released an advisory asking passengers to call its reservations trunkline (885-8888) to check on the status of their flights.

MIAA, meanwhile, said the public can call the following numbers for flight updates:

• Terminal 1 – 877-1765
• Terminal 2 – 877-1109 local 2882
• Terminal 3 – 877-7888 local 8144
• Terminal 4 – 551-4119

A recent Facebook post showed the effects of the damaged runway on aircraft, as debris from the runway apparently punched through a wing flap of one plane.

 

– Rappler.com