Flights from Kalibo International Airport has experienced delays and cancellations of flights from different airlines due to runway closure. For two days already, they have been fixing the pot hole from the runway of the airport. As far as I know, last 2 days ago, they closed the runway because of FOD (Foreign Object Debris). There was a pot hole and pebbles were scattered. In this case, when an aircraft lands, there's a possibility that these pebbles would damage its engines which may cause accident or; when and aircraft lands and its nose wheel hits the pot hole. So Civil Aviation Authority decided to close the runway while fixing the pot hole. It then leads to the delays of the flights. The operation continued the next day. We thought everything was fine but we're wrong. The concrete which they covered to the pot hole cracked and got damaged again. They again, decided to close the runway which caused a delay of more or less 12 hours and cancellations of flights. Passengers had gone mad and already shouting at us (customer service agents). Both domestic and international flights. We can't do anything about it but to wait.
What I didn't like is that, we're getting blamed even if it's not our fault. We do understand that it's not the passengers fault too. But why can't they understand us? CAAP manager never showed up and give any statement to the passengers and passengers keep on blaming us to what happened. Chinese passengers were asking why did the runway get damaged, is there only one runway, and laughed. Another thing that I didn't like is that, CAAP didn't gave us exact time or duration time as to how long can they fix the runway. Instead, they've been giving us false hope. First, they told us that the runway will be opened at 2am. Then extended 4am. And again extended at 6am. Passengers were already loosing hope which made them decide to just change routes. They were really mad that they said, if we have told them earlier that it will be delayed for a very long time, they could have change their route the earliest possible time.
I was on duty for straight 17 hours without sleep. Running around, going up and down the stairs, answering passengers questions every now and then. I'm really really tired. I just hope the pot hole is fixed for good. I've seen pot holes at the runway even before. Maybe if they have fixed it as soon as possible, this wouldn't happen. You know what they say...
Prevention is better than cure.
Tags:
Kalibo Aklan