Red light alert causes MIAA to suspend NAIA flights, ground operations

By: Luisa Cabato – 1 hour ago

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MANILA, Philippines – Flight and ground operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City were temporarily suspended on Sunday afternoon due to a lightning alert.

“The MIAA Airport Ground Operations and Safety Division (AGOSD) issued a Red Lightning Alert at 2:04 p.m./2:04 p.m. Flight and ground operations will be temporarily suspended,” the Manila International Airport Authority said in a statement.

A red light alarm is a “safety measure” taken to prevent untoward incidents when lightning is prevalent in the immediate area and may endanger staff, passengers and even flight operations.”

READ: Pagasa issues a thunderstorm warning for Luzon on Sunday afternoon

A thunderstorm warning issued by the state weather bureau at 2:57 p.m. said moderate to heavy showers with lightning and strong winds were expected over Pampanga, Bataan and Batangas “within the next 2 hours.”

Heavy to intense rain showers with lightning and strong winds were noted to occur in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Rizal, Quezon, Nueva Ecija, Zambales, Tarlac, Cavite and Laguna.

This condition could last within two hours and impact surrounding areas, it said.