Typhoon Marce: Impact on Air Travel & Flight Cancellations

Typhoon Marce on Flight Cancellations

As Typhoon Marce made its way across the Philippines, the travel industry faced significant disruptions. Among the most affected were numerous airlines forced to cancel flights, leaving both passengers and airlines navigating the tumultuous weather conditions. This blog aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the flight cancellations that occurred due to Typhoon Marce, alongside the implications for travelers.

Overview of Flight Cancellations

The arrival of Typhoon Marce prompted an immediate reaction from airlines operating in the region. Safety protocols necessitated the cancellation of flights in and out of affected airports, primarily Manila and nearby provinces. Airlines such as Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia issued advisories informing passengers of their canceled flights, urging them to check the status of their journeys online.

As reports of the typhoon's intensity surfaced, flights scheduled during the peak hours of the storm were the first to be canceled. Passengers were understandably frustrated, as many had travel plans that had been disrupted at the last minute. Airlines worked diligently to assist those stranded, offering rebooking options and additional support.

Passenger Rights During Cancellations

In light of the widespread flight cancellations due to Typhoon Marce, travelers should familiarize themselves with their rights. According to aviation regulations, airlines are obliged to inform passengers about flight status changes promptly. Additionally, if flights are canceled, the airlines typically offer rebooking options without additional charges.

Passengers affected by Typhoon Marce's cancellations were encouraged to contact their airline for the most accurate and timely information. Many airlines also provided updates through social media platforms and their websites, ensuring that customers were kept informed. Moreover, if accommodation was necessary due to prolonged wait times, certain airlines offered compensation, reflecting their commitment to customer service during challenging situations.

The impact of the Typhoon Marce

1. Flight Cancellations and Delays

Typhoon Marce's severe weather conditions—strong winds, heavy rains, and reduced visibility—often lead airlines to cancel flights, particularly those that are due to depart from or arrive at airports located in the typhoon's direct path. Air traffic control (ATC) will typically advise airlines to ground flights temporarily to avoid unsafe conditions, including:

• Turbulent conditions during takeoff, landing, and in-flight.

• Heavy rainfall causing reduced visibility for pilots.

• Strong winds that make landing and takeoff unsafe, especially at airports with limited runway capacity or susceptible to crosswinds.

2. Airport Closures and Delays

Airports in the typhoon's impact zone may close temporarily to ensure the safety of airport staff, passengers, and infrastructure. This may be due to factors like:

• Flooding: Typhoons can cause flooding on runways, taxiways, and in airport terminals, leading to closures.

• Damaged infrastructure: High winds may cause damage to terminal buildings, airport navigation systems, or ground handling equipment, further delaying or canceling flights.

• Airport safety protocols: Airports may halt operations to ensure safe evacuation or sheltering of people.

These airport closures can ripple across the airline network, affecting not just flights at the affected airport, but also causing delays and cancellations for connecting flights.

3. Re-routing and Diversions

Airlines may attempt to re-route flights away from the typhoon’s direct path. This could mean delays as planes may need to take longer routes or land at alternative airports outside the storm's range. In some cases, flights may be diverted to nearby airports if conditions worsen during the flight.

4. Passenger Disruptions

The combination of cancellations, delays, and re-routing can lead to significant disruptions for passengers:

• Uncertainty and confusion at airports as travelers face sudden changes to their flight schedules.

• Longer wait times as travelers try to rebook flights or make alternative travel plans.

• Accommodation issues: If flights are canceled or delayed for long periods, airlines may be required to offer passengers accommodation, especially for those stranded overnight.

5. Operational Costs for Airlines

The impact of a typhoon like Marce extends beyond the immediate disruption of flights. Airlines may face:

• Increased operational costs due to the need to reroute flights, accommodate stranded passengers, and manage cancellations and refunds.

• Revenue loss from the canceled flights and the logistics of rescheduling flights.

6. Safety and Emergency Procedures

Above all, airlines and airports prioritize passenger safety in the face of extreme weather events. If conditions are deemed unsafe, flight operations will cease until conditions improve, and emergency procedures will be enacted. This could include:

• Evacuations or emergency alerts for passengers in affected areas.

• Coordination with meteorologists and disaster response teams to monitor the typhoon’s path and prepare for rapid recovery once the storm passes.

LIST of Flights canceled

Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced the cancellation of several flights scheduled for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday due to the impacts of Typhoon Marce. Affected flights include:

November 6 - Wednesday:

• PR 2932/2933 Manila-Basco-Manila

• PR 2688/2689 Clark-Basco-Clark

• PR 2014/2015 Manila-Tuguegarao-Manila

November 7 - Thursday:

• PR 2932/2933 Manila-Basco-Manila

• PR 2014/2015 Manila-Tuguegarao-Manila

November 8 - Friday:

• PR 2932/2933 Manila-Basco-Manila

• PR 2688/2689 Clark-Basco-Clark

• PR 2196/2197 Manila-Laoag-Manila

In light of the cancellations, PAL urges passengers to avoid going to the airport if their flight is canceled. Instead, they are advised to rebook their tickets. To stay updated on the latest flight status, passengers can visit www.philippineairlines.com and check the Flight Status section or monitor further advisories on PAL's official Facebook page.