President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2015 kick-off ceremony at The Eye Ballroom of the Green Sun Hotel in Pasong Tamo Extension, Makati City on Monday night (December 01). (MNS photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) – Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific are cancelling at least 378 domestic and international flights as part of security measures for the APEC Leaders Meeting in Manila during the third week of November.
Leaders from the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation are converging in Manila to discuss the latest developments in trade and investments. Bilateral meetings are also expected to take place on the sidelines of the two-day summit happening on November 18 and 19.
PAL has revealed more than 200 flights are affected from November 15 to 20, including 115 domestic and 96 international flights. Passengers have the option to rebook their flights with no rebooking and penalty charges.
Several runways at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) will be closed to give way for the arrival and departure of the APEC delegates.
“It is PAL’s aim to operate or consolidate as many flights as possible, as allowed within this period,” the airline earlier said.
This followed the announcement of Cebu Air Inc., the operator of Cebu Pacific, which canceled 167 flights, including 146 domestic and international and 21 Cebgo flights from November 16 to 20.
Malacañang declared November 18 and 19 as special non-working holidays in Metro Manila due to the APEC event.
The APEC member economies are Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Republic of Korea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand, Vietnam, and United States.(MNS)