The Manila International Airport Authority suspended airport operations beginning midnight until 6 a.m. today, Nov. 12, due to Typhoon Ulysses.
The suspension was made in consultation with the Airline Operators Council (AOC), the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP), weather bureau PAGASA, Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
Similar typhoon forecasts presented by PAGASA-NAIA and the airlines revealed that the typhoon will be strongly felt in Manila by 2 a.m. bringing strong winds that would endanger flight movements.
Typhoon Ulysses is expected to weaken as the day progresses.
Airport chief, Ed Monreal advises passengers to immediately coordinate with their airlines for flight updates.
Airline operators that employed preemptive cancellations were told to submit their new flight schedules or requests for re-timings by 7 p.m. yesterday night. Slotting will be done in a way that would cause minimal delay in passengers’ travel plans.
Airline ground handling agents were reminded to implement maximum deployment of personnel both inside the terminals and at the ramp and ensure availability of enough ground equipment once flight operations resume.
As part of their contingency measures, Air Asia evacuated some of their planes out of Manila while Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific tied down their fleet of airplanes to ensure their safety.
Philippine Airlines earlier issued several flight cancellations for Wednesday and Thursday. All Nippon Airways and Untied Airlines have likewise cancelled their flights which are scheduled to arrive tonight.
The MIAA adopted preemptive measures to cushion the adverse impact of Typhoon Ulysses.
Monreal ordered ground handling companies to ensure the safety of their ground equipment to prevent any damage to property and aircraft.
Malasakit kits are ready to be distributed to passengers inside the Terminals.
For updates on flight operations and other inquires, the MIAA 24-hour hotlines can be reached at these numbers:
Voice Hotline – 88771-111 (Direct)
8771-109 local 3080 / 3081
Text Hotline – 09178396242 (Globe)
09189186242 (Smart)
Flight information : 88771-109
Terminal 1 : local 2473
Terminal 2 : local 2475
Terminal 3: local 2474/2476
Image credits: CNN Philippines