Flights suspended at NAIA over Pope’s early return from Leyte

MANILA, Philippines – Flight operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Saturday, January 17, are suspended from 1:45 pm to 3 pm to yield to Pope Francis’ earlier return from Leyte. 

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued the revised notice to airmen  (NOTAM) on Saturday, after the Pope visit had shorten his schedule in Leyte by several hours due to Tropical Storm  Amang which was approaching Eastern Visayas.

Flights at NAIA between 1:45 pm to 3 pm are cancelled, according to the NOTAM.

CAAP had earlier issued a NOTAM for flight suspension at NAIA from 5:45 pm to 6:45 pm on Saturday, based on the Pope’s 5 pm original departure schedule from Tacloban City.

The order also covers overlight, entry-exit, sprayers, foreign registered aircraft with genav operations, and flying schools operating nationwide, said CAAP.

Francis was supposed to leave Tacloban City at 5 pm, but he was prompted to leave the province at 1 pm, upon the advice of pilots manning the papal plane, citing safety concerns over Amang. (READ: Storm forces Pope Francis to shorten Leyte trip)

The pontiff  is scheduled to arrive at the Villamor Air Base in Pasay City at around 2:15 pm, CAAP said. – Rappler.com