Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, January 2) — While aviation authorities fixed the system glitch at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s (NAIA) on Sunday afternoon, travelers should expect more delays as airlines mount recovery flights.
“Within the next 72 hours starting today, January 2, our passengers should expect flight delays because this is a consequence of the recovery operations that we are undertaking today,” Philippine Airlines spokesperson Cielo Villaluna told CNN Philippines’ Balitaan on Monday.
“I hope they understand we are carrying out our recovery flight operations,” she said, adding many of the company’s aircraft were stranded as a result of the system issue.
Villaluna said the carrier sees operations normalizing after that period.
She said a total of 244 PAL flights were affected by the airport power outage and technical glitch on Sunday, New Year’s Day, leaving about 24,000 passengers stranded.
“A certain percentage of the passengers have rebooked their flights to the next available flights,” she said.
Affected passengers also have the chance to rebook flights within 60 days from their original planned date with no additional fees. Travelers may also opt to refund or convert their tickets to a travel voucher.
Sen. Grace Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public services, said the Senate would probe the NAIA glitch.
Flights resumed on Sunday afternoon.
