PAL cancels Manila-Butuan-Manila flights today

By Robert E. Roperos

Wednesday 15th of February 2012

BUTUAN CITY, Feb. 15 (PIA) -- Philippine Airlines (PAL) Manila-Butuan-Manila flights have been cancelled today due to zero visibility.

The announcement was made by PAL Butuan Manager Paolo Diaz De Rivera in a text message sent to PIA-Caraga this afternoon.

Rivera said flights PR477 and PR478 were cancelled due to terminal weather, causing a “zero visibility”.

He added affected PAL passengers were provided with a special flight that is scheduled to depart from Manila on Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 9:15 a.m. and is expected to arrive here at around 10:55 a.m.

Same aircraft will depart Bancasi Airport here at around 11:25 a.m., and will arrive at Manila at around 12:55 a.m.

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific has also canceled their flight for Manila this afternoon while their morning flight has already departed at 8:00 a.m. bound for Cebu.

In a related development, according to Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA), as of 8:00 a.m. today, the active low pressure area was estimated based on satellite and surface data at 400 km East of Mindanao (5.5oN, 130.0oE).

Southern Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao will experience cloudy skies with scattered rain showers and thunderstorms with widespread rains over Easter Visayas and Eastern Mindanao which may trigger flashfloods and landslides. The rest of Luzon will have mostly cloudy skies with light rains.

PAGASA also reported that moderate to strong winds blowing from the East over Luzon and coming from the East to Northeast over Visayas and Mindanao will prevail, while coastal waters through the archipelago will be moderate to rough. (PIA-Caraga)