MIAA eyes mandatory flight delay explanation for passengers

The Manila International Airport Authority on Tuesday said it would require airlines to explain flight delays to passengers, after dozens of flights were diverted and delayed this weekend due to a red lightning advisory.

The alert, which means that the capital's airport was in "imminent danger" of lightning strikes, was raised for 2 hours on Sunday night and prompted the suspension of ramp operations, which delayed 54 flights and diverted 7 flights to Pampanga province's airport, authorities earlier said.

Flight delays were announced every 10 minutes, but several passengers complained that airlines did not explain what a lightning alert is, said MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal.

"Magpupulong po ulit kami, makikiusap at sasabihin po namin na mandatory po ang pagpapaliwanag sa mga pasahero sa mga sitwasyong ganito. Gagawa ho kami ng resolusyon para ho magbigay ng importansya sa mga paliwanag sa mga pasahero," he told radio DZMM.

(We will meet again and request, tell them that explaining to passengers is mandatory in situations like this. We will draft a resolution to give importance to explaining to passengers.)

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday made a surprise inspection at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

"Sa kaniyang direktiba lang po, kailangan mapabilis ang aksyon sa pag-ayos at pagnormal ng ating mga flights," said Monreal.

(Under his directive, the normalization of flights should be fast tracked.)

DZMM, June 11, 2019