MIAA temporarily suspends Naia operations due to red-lightning warning

Updated on May 29, 2024 at 1:11 p.m.

MANILA, Philippines – The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) on Wednesday temporarily suspended operations at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) due to a storm warning.

The MIAA said in a statement that its Ground Operations and Security Department had issued a flash red alert at the airport at 11:45 a.m.

READ: Typhoon Aghon leaves PAR on Wednesday – Pagasa

“Flight and ground operations are temporarily suspended. This warning is a safety measure to prevent unwanted incidents when lightning strikes are frequent in the immediate area and could endanger personnel, passengers and even flight operations,” MIAA said.

Flight operations resumed at 12:54 p.m. after the MIAA downgraded the red alert to yellow.

This came after the state weather bureau issued a thunderstorm warning at 11:42 a.m., predicting moderate to heavy rain showers with lightning and strong winds for Rizal, Bulacan, Bataan, Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, Pampanga, Cavite, Batangas, Laguna and Quezon within the next two hours.

“The above conditions are occurring in Metro Manila (Quezon City, Parañaque) and Zambales (Cabangan) and may persist for two hours and affect nearby areas,” said a warning from the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical, and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

According to Pagasa’s weather forecast for Wednesday, the southwesterly wind flow enhanced by Typhoon Aghon is currently bringing rain to the western parts of the country.

Isolated rain showers and thunderstorms were also forecast for the rest of the country.

Meanwhile, Aghon is already scheduled to leave his Philippine area of ​​responsibility by Wednesday.