PAL operations to normalize soon

Manila Bulletin
By EDU LOPEZ
October 3, 2011, 2:48am

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Airlines (PAL)is expected 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.

The airline 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.

The airline was operating a reduced schedule of flights on Wednesday as it reported that certain ground equipment were damaged by striking workers of the flag carrier’s groundcrew 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 on Wednesday due to manpower shortage even as hundreds of PAL volunteers stepped in to perform check-in, ramp and catering functions.

Meanwhile, PAL operated 18 regular international flights and 18 domestic flights on Wednesday. It has also deployed a special flight from Haneda airport in Tokyo to Manila, carrying Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III and his party after a working visit to Japan.