CebuPac cancels 2 flights to Caticlan due to ‘VIP movement’

Air carrier Cebu Pacific on Saturday canceled at least two flights to Caticlan, but it was not due to bad weather conditions this time. In an announcement on its Facebook page, Cebu Pacific cited “VIP movement" as the reason for canceling flights 5J-895 and 5J-898. “Please note that flights 5J-895/898 have been cancelled due to a two-hour airport closure in Caticlan due to VIP movement," it said. “Thanks for your understanding as this is beyond the airline’s control," it added. On Saturday, President Benigno Aquino III led the inauguration of Caticlan Airport in Panay Island in Western Visayas. Aquino's presence at the inauguration was part of the government’s thrust to boost the tourism industry in the country. Government radio dzRB reported Aquino was scheduled to have a press conference, but left early so he could get back to Manila to inspect flood-hit areas in the National Capital Region. A Malacañang statement had tagged the Caticlan Airport development project as an example of public-private partnership. The development of the Caticlan Airport was done by TransAire Development Holdings Corp., a subsidiary of San Miguel Corp. Aside from developing the airport, TransAire has initiated a proposal to rename Caticlan Airport to Boracay Airport although the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines has yet to approve it. — LBG, GMA News