At least 12 airports have been shut down in the Philippines as Super Typhoon Haiyan rips through the region.
The typhoon is expected to make landfall around noon on November 8 between the islands of Samar and Leyte. It is predicted to hit central areas such as the island of Bohol, but is not expected to hit the capital Manila where major airlines such as Singapore Airlines fly to.
Closed airports include Tacloban, Surigao, Kalibo, Roxas, Caticlan, Iloilo, Romblon, Legazpi, Masbate, Bacolod, Busuanga (Coron) Palawan Airport and Dumaguete.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is updating travellers on Twitter @CAAP_Operations with regard to airport operations.
Airlines such as Philippines Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Tiger Air and AirAsia/AirAsia Zest have announced a variety of flight cancellations in the region. Philippines Airlines, Tiger Air and Cebu Pacific are offering affected passengers the option to rebook flights within the next 30 days from the original flight date. AirAisa is offering passengers the option of a one-time rebooking within 14 days on the same route, full credit valid for 90 days or a full refund.
SAA’s external communications manager for corporate affairs, Sizwe Mdladla, says: “At this point we are not sure whether other airlines’ flights will be affected by the inclement weather. We advise connecting passengers to get in touch with the airline they are due to connect with.”
For more flight information see:
Philippines Airlines: www.philippineairlines.com
Cebu Pacific: http://www.cebupacificair.com/pages/PressReleases.aspx?pid=903
Tiger Air: https://www.facebook.com/tigerair
AirAsia/AirAsia Zest: https://www.facebook.com/AirAsiaPhilippines
eTNW will continue to update this story throughout today.
