The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said Friday, Nov. 7, that it has placed all its area centers and airport operations nationwide on a heightened alert ahead of the expected arrival of Severe Tropical Storm Fung-wong, which will be locally named “Uwan” when it enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR) this weekend.
CAAP Director General Raul L. Del Rosario directed all airport managers, especially those in areas likely to be affected, to activate their emergency preparedness and response plans to ensure the safety of passengers, aircraft, and airport facilities.
The directive came as the country continues to recover from the devastation caused by Typhoon Tino, which left hundreds dead and thousands displaced.
Meanwhile, Typhoon Uwan is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to parts of Luzon beginning Saturday.
Due to bad weather on Friday, low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific announced the cancellation of its Bicol flights 5J321 and 5J322. The airline advised affected passengers to rebook or refund their tickets without rebooking fees.
CAAP said coordination with airlines, local government units, and disaster response teams is ongoing to ensure quick response in case of flight diversions or airport disruptions.
Airport authorities are also reminding travelers to monitor advisories and to arrive early for their flights as weather conditions may cause sudden schedule changes.
CAAP assured the public that all aviation units remain on standby for updates from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) regarding Typhoon Uwan’s movement and potential impact.