PHOTO from Cebu Pacific
MANILA, Philippines—Cebu Pacific said the number of passengers affected by cancellations climbed to 41,000 as key gateways in Visayas undergo repairs in the destructive wake of Super Typhoon Odette.
Carmina Romero, Cebu Pacific director for corporate communications, said on Wednesday (Dec. 22) that 369 flights have been disrupted until Dec. 31 this year.
This comes as the Mactan Cebu International Airport (MCIA) limits operations while airports in Surigao and Siargao will remain closed to commercial flights until February next year due to extensive damage to their facilities.
The influx of arriving overseas Filipinos during the Christmas holiday season is expected to add to the strain.
In an advisory, the operator of the MCIA said international arrivals will be subject to a daily passenger cap beginning Dec. 23 due to the shortage of hotel rooms for the mandated quarantine requirement.
Moreover, the Cebu government said entry to the province would be limited to Cebuano overseas Filipino workers and Cebu residents.
Carmina Romero, Cebu Pacific director for corporate communications, said on Wednesday these were local government regulations and asked for the understanding of passengers.
“We comply with directives given to us by airports and we fully understand the situation,” Romero said.
“Cebu Pacific will always prioritize the safety and welfare of its passengers and cabin crew. Right now, we are also focusing on transporting relief cargo to areas devastated by Odette,” she added.
On Monday (Dec. 20), Cebu Pacific said affected passengers had topped 25,000.
Michael Ivan Shau, chief corporate affairs officer at Cebu Pacific, said normal operations were also affected because hundreds of employees were victims of Odette, too.
“Our employees are very much affected and we ask for patience,” Shau said during a briefing on Monday.
“They themselves are in need of cash, clothing, roofing materials—we cannot send that but we send them tarpaulins—water and food,” he added.