MANILA, 26 Dec. 2016
Philippines News Agency

Due to typhoon "Nina" that is currently in the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR), the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has implemented the "Oplan Nina".

Together with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), MIAA is closely monitoring the movement of the typhoon, and vowed to implement actions as needed.

MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal has also instructed airport authorities and staff to employ all means possible to cushion the impact of the typhoon as part of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) guidance.

"We have anticipated all possible scenarios given the strength of the typhoon," Monreal said.

As of Monday afternoon, Monreal said the closing down of Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) is not likely to happen as Nina had made its landfall in Batangas.

It may be recalled that last Friday, MIAA said the NAIA runway shall be closed to flight operations once the typhoon’s wind speed reaches 50 knots.

The challenge now is how airport authorities will be able to bring back the different aircraft as hundreds of flights have been cancelled and/ rescheduled since Sunday due to Nina.

Monreal said his guidance was those flights that should operate Monday at 4 p.m. onwards should stick to their schedule.

As MIAA considers air traffic congestion, Monreal cited that NAIA is currently working to accommodate rescheduled flights. "Flights that have slots from 4 p.m. onwards were allowed to depart and to arrive," he said.

Another consideration is the facility of the airports, he added. "We want to have better schedules to avoid diversion of flights," Monreal noted.

"The only concern now is there is no movement because domestic airlines are in the outlying stations," he said. Majority of the cancelled flights were domestic flights.

The MIAA GM said authorities have to ensure that the airway is clear of the typhoon and should look for different routes to avoid the typhoon.

"We will coordinate with CAAP to see how many flights we could accommodate tonight," he added.

Appeal to passengers

Thousands of passengers have been affected due to the typhoon and Monreal asked the public not to come to the airport if their flights are not in the schedule.

He also urged passengers to regularly check the MIAA Facebook page and Twitter account for travel advisories from airlines.

Passengers may call the NAIA hotline at 877-1111, or send a text message to 0917-8396242.

For flight information, passengers may also dial the following numbers:

Terminal 1 -- 877-1109 local 2851 or 765

Terminal 2 -- 877-1109 local 2880 or 2882

Terminal 3 -- 877-7888 local 8144 or 8173 or 8174

Terminal 4 – 877-1109 local 4226

Additional hotlines are 8771-3660 and 8771-3661. (PNA)