Flights cancelled for APEC hit 1,364

MANILA, Philippines – A total of 1,125 domestic and 239 international flights before and during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Manila have been cancelled.

Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific (CEB) and Cebgo announced yesterday additional cancelled flights from Nov. 15 to 21. The APEC meetings will be held from Nov. 16 to 20.

PAL cancelled another 280 domestic and 78 international flights while CEB cancelled another 365 domestic and 29 international flights, and Cebgo 29 more domestic flights.

PAL had cancelled some 115 domestic and 96 international flights, Cebu Pacific some 262 domestic and 26 international flights while Air Asia cancelled 74 domestic and 10 international flights that were announced late last month.

PAL and CEB asked for the affected passengers’ understanding.

LIST: Domestic, int’l flights canceled for APEC

The flights were scrapped amid periodic temporary runway closures at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) for the arrival and departure of heads of state for the APEC meetings.

The carriers are arranging the re-accommodation of affected guests on the soonest available flights.

“PAL and CEB assures affected passengers that their flights will be rescheduled and they will be informed of their new flight timings through e-mail, phone call or text. Passengers also have the option to rebook to the flight date of their choice within 30 days from their original schedule, with rebooking and penalty charges waived. The new flight schedule must fall within the ticket’s validity period. Refunding of tickets is also an option,” said spokesperson Cielo Villaluna of PAL and Michelle Pestanos Fojas of CEB.

For more information on PAL flights, passengers may call the airline’s hotline: 855-8888, log on to www.philippineairlines.com or visit the PAL Facebook page.

Passengers not able to fly on the next available flights may either rebook their tickets within 30 days from the original departure date or opt for full refund or travel fund.