Caticlan-bound passengers stranded in Cebu amid bad weather, glitch

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu — Passengers bound for Caticlan endured being stranded for over a day after their flight from Mactan-Cebu International Airport was disrupted on Sunday, August 9, initially due to bad weather and later because of an aircraft-related technical issue.

The flight was originally scheduled to depart on Sunday morning, but passengers were unable to reach Caticlan after the aircraft made several failed attempts to land amid strong winds.

According to passenger Emerson Cababarros, the aircraft eventually returned to Cebu after failing to land in Caticlan.

Much-delayed trip to Boracay

In another attempt, the flight was diverted to Iloilo, where passengers waited for about an hour before another attempt to proceed to Caticlan, the airport closest to Boracay.

The aircraft again failed to land, and the flight was eventually called off.

Cababarros said that passengers understood the weather-related disruption, noting that they recognized the decisions were necessary for their safety.

However, he said their concern was how passengers were handled after the flight was disrupted, particularly the lack of accommodation and clear communication regarding the next steps.

Stranded in Cebu, with no help

Cababarros said that the passengers were left to make their own arrangements for accommodation and were not provided hotel rooms. He said they were also given only a bottle of mineral water and two biscuits while waiting.

Passengers returned to the Mactan-Cebu airport early Monday, August 10, for another attempt to reach Caticlan. Cababarros said the flight scheduled at 6:20 a.m was again delayed, with passengers eventually boarding at 8:30 a.m.

The passengers were also transferred twice to different aircraft, according to Cababarros, before they were again left waiting.

He said that passengers were informed that the latest problem was no longer weather-related but involved the aircraft.

Waiting for timely advice, apology

The prolonged disruption also frustrated passengers. Cababarros recalled there were complaints over the lack of clear and timely announcements about the status of the flight.

Cababarros was with his family of seven from Cagayan de Oro City. They had travelled from Cagayan de Oro to Cebu and were bound for Caticlan for a planned vacation in Boracay.

“Frustrating kaayo.. Hassle…Wala gid mga abiso uy pwede standby lang sa mo, uy sorry kaayo, walay apology,” said Cababarros. (No one advised us to stand by or to apologize for what was happening.)

Seeking the airline’s explanation

Mary Ann Dimabayao, public affairs manager of Mactan-Cebu International Airport, said that airport authorities were coordinating with the airline regarding the incident.

“Basically technical problem,” Dimabayao said, adding that the airline would have to provide an explanation regarding the incident.

After being stranded for over a day, the passengers were finally able to fly to Caticlan on Monday. They arrived safely in Caticlan past 2 p.m. on Aug. 10.

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