PAL scaled down flights continue; ‘strikers’ damage ground handling equipment

The management of Philippine Airlines (PAL) said it is operating a reduced schedule of flights today (28 September 2011) as the airline reported that certain ground equipment were damaged by striking workers of the flag carrier’s ground-crew union.

PAL also called in traffic enforcers after members of the PAL Employees Association (PALEA) held a protest rally infront of PAL’s Inflight Center. This caused further flight delays and compounded the airline’s efforts to normalize operations a day after the union staged a wildcat strike at PAL’s NAIA Terminal 2 hub.

“Despite our best efforts to restore normalcy at NAIA Terminal 2, it is unfortunate that the union still persists in hampering our airport operations and preventing the delivery of service to our passengers,” PAL said.

Although operations slightly improved, a total of 64 domestic and 40 international flights were cancelled today due to manpower shortage even as hundreds of PAL volunteers stepped in to perform check-in, ramp and catering functions.

Meanwhile, PAL is operating today (28 Sept. 2011) 18 regular international flights and 18 domestic flights.

PAL is also operating a special flight from Haneda airport in Tokyo to Manila, carrying President Benigno S. Aquino III and his party, who are flying home today after a working visit to Japan.

The domestic flights operating today are selected regular services to Davao, Cebu, Kalibo and Dumaguete. PAL will also mount replacement flights in four specific flights cancelled yesterday (Sept. 27) from Manila to Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Bacolod and Cebu, and back. Meanwhile, international flights today are as follows: Hong Kong, Xiamen, Beijing, Narita, Nagoya, Kansai, Incheon, Taipei, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, and Australia.

PAL said it expects to return to normal operations within a month after its designated service providers – Sky Logistics, Sky Kitchen and SPi Global – formally take over the airline’s ground-handling, catering and call-center reservations functions, respectively.

PAL has deployed a corps of trained management volunteers to handle these functions during the transition period to the service providers.

“PAL apologizes to the passengers for the inconvenience caused by the flight cancellations and unexpected delays,” PAL said.

“Affected passengers are advised to call our ticket offices and reservations center at telephone number (02) 855-8888 for the latest flight updates. We have reinforced these offices with a full complement of volunteers,” it added.