(UPDATE) Haze in Mindanao forces PAL, CebPac to cancel flights
Local News • 16:25 PM Thu Oct 22, 2015
3,039
By:
Edwin Fernandez
People wear face masks to protect against air pollution in Palembang, Indonesia's South Sumatra province. (phys.org)
COTABATO
CITY -– Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific flights from here to
Manila had been cancelled for six straight days until todaydue to haze that
engulfed most of Mindanao cities, and state weather bureautoday said.
Roy
Jumawan, Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services
Administration (PAGASA-Cotabato) weather specialist, said the haze the hovered
over Central Mindanao since Saturday was brought about by forest fires in
Indonesia carried by southwest monsoonto southern Philippines.
”This
is the primary reason why flights to and from Cotabato airport have been
cancelled for everybody’s safety,” Jumawan told DXMS Radyo Bida.
Jumawan
said haze came from Borneo, parts of Sumatra and Kalimantan, and spread to nearby
countries like Philippines, Brunei and Malaysia by southwest monsoon.
He
added that typhoon in the country contributed the entry of haze in Philippine
Area of Responsibility. Charlene Jamero, also weather specialist, told ndbcnews.com.ph the haze as of Friday afternoon remained thick. It still hampers aircraft pilot's visibility, she said.It was learned the runway lights that will supposed to guide pilots were not working.Smoke,
dust and small particles that engulfed the region made it difficult for pilots
to land and take off due to very poor visibility.”
A
manmade atmospheric phenomenon, the haze also forced Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippinesand Air
Transportation Office in Davao, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro and Gen. Santos City
to cancel incoming and outgoing flights.
A
staff of Cebu Pacific ticketing office said the airline firm has not issued
when the flights from Cotabato airport would resume.
Edward
Somera, a Cebu Pacific passenger, had to travel to Davao hoping to catch a
flight to Manila for a very important appointment.
”It’s
everybody’s safety so no complaints,” he said as he left the Awang airport
Wednesday morning to Davao City.
Jumawan
said the haze could diminish if hanging amihan” comes in or a heavy down
pour occurs in most part of the region.