DO you have a flight today? Better check in online and leave home early to go to the airport.

The Manila International Airport Authority advised air passengers to allocate enough time for travel to the airport to make sure they would reach it at least three hours before their flight amid the transport strike. 

MIAA said the week-long transport strike may result in limited public transportation options for passengers traveling to and from the terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. 

It also encouraged them to check reports on the transport situation and the status of their flights before leaving for the airport to avoid inconvenience. 

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia Philippines also issued separate statements with similar advice.

“Please adjust your plans to allocate extra travel time to reach the Manila airport on time to catch your flights, in case the strike may cause heavier traffic jams or limit your public transport options,” PAL said.

Cebu Pacific urged its passengers to check in online for their flights. 

AirAsia encouraged passengers to download its app for faster online check-in and to use its self check-in kiosks at the airport. 

Operations unhampered 

MIAA said airlines and their service providers would be implementing measures to ensure their continued operations during the transport strike.

PAL said it does not see any significant disruptions in its operations. 

“We have contingency plans to mitigate potential disruptions and help keep flights operating on schedule. We will continue to monitor the situation and work closely with relevant authorities to ensure that there will be no impact on airline services,” it said.

Cebu Pacific said it has measures in place to minimize the strike’s impact on staff and crew.

Steve Dailisan, AirAsia Philippines head of communications and public affairs, said all flights from March 6 to 12 would proceed as scheduled. 

“To avoid any operational disruptions during this period, our People and Culture team has arranged transportation services in areas affected by the strike,” Dailisan said in a statement. 

MIAA shuttle, staff sleeping quarters  

The MIAA will deploy shuttle buses to and from Dasmariñas for its employees living in various parts of Cavite, according to General Manager Cesar Chiong.

On the other hand, Chiong encouraged employees living in cities near NAIA and those from Laguna and Bulacan to consider staying in the office, where they would be given sleeping quarters, for the duration of the strike. 

He also said there are shower rooms that the employees could use at the former Nayong Pilipino building, which MIAA now occupies.

“We are working closely with our stakeholders to mitigate the effect of the strike to NAIA operations. We are continuously monitoring the situation,” he said. 

Strike begins 

The week-long nationwide transport strike begins today.

Jeepney operators and drivers are staging it to protest the impending phase out of traditional jeepneys as part of the government’s modernization efforts.

The transport groups said many are set to lose their livelihood. They also said they were not given enough time and support to make the switch to the modern jeepneys, whose high price many of them could ill afford.