FOLLOWING the magnitude 6.5 earthquake that struck the Visayas on Tuesday, the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) assured it was not damaged and that operations remain normal.
In an advisory, the MCIA announced they are on heightened alert after an intensity 3 quake was felt in Cebu.
“We have placed operational safety and concerned personnel on heightened alert and will continue to monitor the situation,” it read.
GMR-Megawide Cebu Airport Corp. head of corporate affairs Jason Torres told SunStar Cebu that all their domestic and international flights are normal except for those coming from and leaving for Clark, which was damaged after a magnitude 6.1 earthquake hit Central Luzon and Metro Manila on Monday, April 22.
“The two airlines, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines (PAL), both released advisories on the cancellation of their Clark flights but they’re expected to be back anytime soon,” he said. He assured the airport did not sustain any damage but they remain on alert for aftershocks.
As of 5 p.m. on April 24, Wednesday, Cebu Pacific announced it will “resume operations to and from the Clark International Airport, following the end of the temporary closure period issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and repairs completed at the airport terminal after it was damaged by the earthquake last Monday.”
The flights that resumed were those going to and coming from Hong Kong, Macau and Cebu.
“All other flights to and from Clark will resume as scheduled starting tomorrow (Thursday), April 25, and thereafter,” Cebu Pacific said in its advisory.
PAL will resume flights to and from Clark airport starting April 25, Thursday. PAL flights to Antique, Caticlan, Cebu, Catarman, Bacolod, Basco, Busuanga, Cagayan de Oro, Siargao, Puerto Princesa, Davao, San Vicente, Bohol, Calbayog, Kalibo, and Seoul, Korea will resume on Thursday.
“We welcome the reopening of Clark airport and laud the efficient and expeditious efforts of the Department of Transportation and the CIAC (Clark International Airport Corp.) to bring the airport back to full, safe and effective operations. The full restoration of services is a good development for the flying public and the country,” PAL president Jaime J. Bautista said.
PAL is also operating replacement flights between Manila and Busuanga, Manila and Basco, and extra flights between Cebu and Busuanga, to cater to passengers affected by the Clark closure on key routes. (JOB)