MORE than 300 domestic flights are expected to be canceled or rescheduled starting Nov. 14 as the government implements security and operational measures for next week’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) said Tuesday.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon assured affected passengers they would be entitled to free rebooking, a full refund or travel credits without additional charges as the country prepares to host leaders of major economies in Metro Manila.
Speaking at a joint press conference with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) and representatives of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia, the DOTr chief said the adjustments were necessary to accommodate the arrival and departure of heads of state and government.
He said the flight disruptions would begin on Nov. 14, when the first batch of foreign leaders is expected to arrive, and continue until all summit delegates have departed.
“More than 300 flights would be affected but these would not all be cancellations, as some flights would only be rescheduled,” he said.
The DOTr, CAAP and CAB will publish the list of affected flights on their respective websites and provide copies to media organizations to inform the traveling public.
Passengers whose flights are affected may choose among three options: rebooking without penalties or fees, a full refund of the ticket price, or travel credits that can be used for future trips, according to the Transportation Department.
He urged passengers to check the published list and coordinate directly with their respective airlines to arrange their preferred option.
The top DOTr official also advised travelers to arrive at airports earlier than usual and regularly check airline websites for updates on flight schedules.
Passengers taking international flights were advised to allow at least three hours before departure, while domestic travelers were also encouraged to provide additional time for airport procedures.
He said the government would deploy health and assistance desks at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminals 1, 2 and 3, as well as at Clark International Airport and Mactan-Cebu International Airport.
Dizon said the impact on international carriers would be minimal, stressing that there would be no cancellations of international flights, although some delays could occur.
He also assured the public that preparations for airport and road operations were in place, including measures to manage traffic along routes that would be used by visiting delegations.
Asked about possible security threats, Dizon declined to discuss specific assessments, saying these were matters for law enforcement agencies, but maintained that the government was prepared.
“We’re ready. The entire government is ready,” he said, adding that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had given final instructions to concerned agencies.
Dizon said the government was working to minimize inconvenience to commuters and travelers while ensuring the safe and orderly conduct of the international gathering.
