MANILA – Operations at the Zamboanga International Airport was halted since early Wednesday due to its flooded runway, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) reported.
Flooding was caused by heavy rains and high tide, the CAAP added.
CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio told the Philippine News Agency that the airport is still closed as of 9:13 p.m. due to inclement weather.
Despite the flooding, CAAP reported that two Cebu Pacific (CEB) flights -- 5J 517 from Davao 5J 851 from Manila -- safely landed at the airport. Two CEB flights from Manila and Tawi-Tawi were diverted to the Laguindingan Airport in Misamis Oriental province.
An AirAsia flight from Manila was likewise diverted to the Davao International Airport.
CAAP also reported that flight GAP 2485 is on hold for its departure to ZIA, while flight GAP 2486 was canceled.
At the Dipolog Airport, CEB's flight from Manila was diverted to Mactan, Cebu province due to runway closure caused by bad weather and low visibility.
Philippine Airlines flights PR 2557/2558 (MNL-DPL-MNL) were able to push through with their normal schedule safely.
The low pressure area (LPA) last traced 475 kilometers east of Surigao City, Surigao del Norte remains less likely to develop into a tropical cyclone in the next 24 hours.
However, the weather bureau said this LPA and the shear line will cause moderate to heavy, with at times intense rains over Eastern and Central Visayas, Zamboanga Peninsula, Dinagat Islands, and the provinces of Surigao del Norte and Surigao del Sur. (PNA)
