TS Kristine suspends then resumes Bicol airport ops, 140 passengers affected

Tropical Storm Kristine prompted the suspension of operations at Calbayog Airport and the cancellation of several flights on Tuesday.

As of Thursday, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista announced that all airports in the Bicol Region are operational for air transport of relief goods, with CAAP personnel available to assist if needed.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) grounded all scheduled flights at Calbayog Airport, Catarman Airport, and Masbate Airport due to potential risks from the storm, affecting a total of 140 passengers at Masbate Airport.

Based on Pagasa's latest forecast, Tropical Storm Kristine poses threats to the Bicol Region with maximum sustained winds of 65 kph and gustiness up to 80 kph, located 390 km east of Virac, Catanduanes, but commercial flight operations have resumed at the Bicol International Airport (BIA).

CAAP reported reduced visibility to 1 km at Masbate Airport due to moderate to heavy rainfall and light to moderate winds, while monitoring other airports in the region which remain under normal operations.

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines canceled flights from Oct. 22 to 23 due to impassable roads leading to Bicol International Airport (BIA), but commercial flight operations have resumed there on Thursday.