Flight delays and cancellations affected passengers flying into and out of Manila on New Year's Day when a power outage interrupted contact with planes at the country's air traffic management center. As reported by the Manila International Airport Authority, at least 282 aircraft were delayed, canceled, or diverted, affecting around 56,000 passengers.
The Straits Times reports that local carriers Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific both issued advisories warning of "technical issues" with the navigational air traffic management system at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila. Images on social media showed heavy traffic heading to NAIA Terminal 3, large crowds at the airport, and airline staff distributing food and drinks.
Reasons Behind Power Failure Unknown
Amid the effects of the said incident, reports tell us that the cause of the power failure is currently unknown. As per electric company Meralco, there was no power outage at the facility that houses the Air Traffic Management Centre. By 4:00 p.m., the air navigation system had been "partially restored," allowing restricted flight operations to resume, according to word from MIAA.
Socmed posts indicating an earlier NAIA power, radar outage, affecting PH flights and airspace overflights.
— Daxim L. Lucas (@DaximLucas) January 1, 2023
Update from MIAA GM Cesar Chiong: “From CAAP - power supply issue fixed and restored to have ATC service to operate shortly after completing system tests.” @inquirerdotnet
Rappler reports that Philippine Airlines flight PR222 was the first plane to land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport following the partial restoration of air traffic management systems. The flight, which originated in Brisbane, Australia, touched down at 4:55 p.m. local time.
Earlier in the day, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced that a problem had been detected at the Philippine Air Traffic Management Center (ATMC) at 9:50 a.m. As a result, all flights were temporarily suspended in order to prioritize the safety of passengers, crew, and aircraft.
The ATMC is responsible for handling the departures and landings of planes as well as the passage of aircraft through the country's airspace. The cause of the issue has not yet been disclosed, but CAAP stated that efforts are being made to fully restore the system as soon as possible.
Flights were temporarily suspended, causing considerable difficulties for travelers, with many flights delayed or canceled. Airlines are assisting affected travelers with rebooking arrangements.
This incident serves as a reminder of the vital role that air traffic management systems play in guaranteeing the aviation industry's safety and efficiency.
Disgruntled Passengers
Some passengers expressed their frustration on social media, with some having had their flights delayed or diverted. The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has apologized to all affected passengers and said it is addressing the issue.
Going home from Bali and flight currently diverted to Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia. Happy new year to us!!! @ManilaAirport
— MaiMai Din Ako (@mai_low) January 1, 2023
"The safety of the passengers is the priority of the agency, and it is better to secure the aircraft on the ground to avoid any airborne accidents," CAAP said in a statement.
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