Philippines Expects About 300 Flight Disruptions During ASEAN Summit
Key Takeaways
- •Around 300 domestic and international flights are expected to be disrupted while the Philippines hosts the ASEAN Summit from Nov. 16 to 18.
- •Airlines will give affected passengers options including travel fund conversion, free rebooking, and full refunds, according to the Department of Transportation.
- •Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon indicated passenger volume would be roughly at 'Undas level,' comparable to the approximately 1.29 million passengers recorded during the All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day travel rush.
- •The Civil Aeronautics Board warned of possible flight delays and airport operational adjustments during the summit owing to heightened security measures.
- •The DoTr advised travelers to check their flight status before going to the airport and to plan trips ahead, as travel times are expected to be longer.
MANILA — Around 300 international and domestic flights will be disrupted as the Philippines hosts the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit this month, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) said.
Transportation Secretary Vivencio B. Dizon said the agency is working to ensure that the expected influx of passengers during the summit will have minimal impact on travelers.
The DoTr expects disruptions to both domestic and international flight schedules, Mr. Dizon said, adding that airlines will give affected passengers options such as travel fund conversion, free rebooking, and full refunds.
The agency declined for now to provide an estimate of how many passengers are expected during the summit. Mr. Dizon indicated the volume would be roughly at "Undas level," referring to the Philippines' All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day travel rush, when the airport operator recorded around 1.29 million passengers. That comparison offers travelers a gauge of the passenger traffic expected during the summit period.
The DoTr advised travelers to check the status of their flights before proceeding to the airport, adding that passengers should plan their trips as travel times are expected to take longer.
Separately, the Civil Aeronautics Board has warned of possible flight delays and airport operational adjustments during the summit, which will run from Nov. 16 to 18, due to heightened security measures.
ASEAN is a ten-member regional bloc comprising Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Philippines holds the grouping's rotating chairmanship this year, which includes hosting the summit.
— Ashley Erika O. Jose, BusinessWorld Online; source
