Few passengers for Zambo flights

MANILA, Philippines - Lack of passengers hounded the second day of the resumption of flights to and from the Zamboanga International Airport amid the standoff between government troops and Moro National Liberation Front forces in the city.

John Andrews, deputy director general of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, said air traffic to Zamboanga City has been affected by the conflict.

The regulator allowed Philippine Airlines (PAL) Express and Cebu Pacific to mount two flights each yesterday on the Manila/Zamboanga/Manila route.

PAL Express had two scheduled flights. It also said that there would be a rerouting of flights from Zamboanga to Cebu where ticket holders would be ferried out of Zamboanga to Manila and on to Cebu with no additional charges. 

Cebu Pacific, on the other hand, opted to mount only one flight yesterday due to lack of passengers.

Andrews said hand-carried and accompanying luggage would be allowed on board, but not cargo items.