At least 50 domestic and international flights were cancelled as precautionary measures from the adverse effects of the onslaught of super typhoon "Karding."
For international flights, those cancelled were the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL 804) bound to Amsterdam, Air Niugini (PX 011/010) Manila-Port Moresby-Manila, United Airlines (UA 184/183) Manila-Guam-Manila.
Flights of the Cebu Pacific heading to Naga City; Airswift bound to El Nido from Manila and vice versa; Philippine Airline flights from Manila bound to Davao, Tacloban and Cebu and vice versa; and, PAL Express from Manila bound to Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Roxas, Tacloban and Puerto Princesa and vice versa.
AirAsia, for its parts, rescheduled two international flights from Manila to Kuala Lumpur and vice versa.
In a statement, Air Asia said that among the occurrences that are being watched out for are thunderstorms, heavy rainfall, lightning strikes, etc hence the raising of red lightning alerts. The red lightning alert was issued by the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) and effectively suspended flights and ground operations at all airports in the Philippines.
"It aims to prevent incidents and accidents from happening when lightning is imminent in open areas which can endanger personnel, passengers, and even flight operations.," the statement read.
The Philippine Airlines cancelled more flights in the afternoon as Metro Manila was placed under a higher storm signal.
"Philippine Airlines will keep a close watch on weather forecasts for the airports we serve in Luzon island and other parts of the Philippines, in case we need to cancel or adjust other flights and routes," the PAL statement read.
Passengers whose flights were cancelled, according to airline companies, can rebook their flights.