Are you excited to ride an airplane? As an Overseas Filipino Worker, one of the easiest and most convenient way to go to your place of destination is by riding an airplane.
Of course, there will always be unforeseen circumstances that will led to the delay or cancellation of flights. Although this is not the primary aim of transportation companies, sometimes, things could go beyond their control. This could cause issues on your employment since you are supposed to arrive on a specific date – and for visa purposes as well.
That being said, what could be the reasons for delayed or cancelled flight? These are:
Bad Weather
This is the most common reason why flights are delayed or cancelled. Even if the weather is good in Manila, if the weather from where you are going is bad, then there is a possibility that the flight is cancelled as well. The condition of the route and runway are also considered in case of bad weather; hence the delay.
Unfortunately, bad weather is something that is hard to avoid because you’ll never know when a typhoon is coming.
Aircraft Preparation
Thousands of people use a single aircraft every single day. Before you board, cabin crew and aircraft personnel ensure that the plane is clean and in tiptop condition. Refueling and security checks are likewise conducted to avoid aircraft issues while on air.
Strict timeline is being followed to avoid delays. Apparently, unavoidable situations happen; hence the reason why you have to wait.
Airport Congestion
The Control Tower plays a crucial role. They provide information to pilots regarding critical information such as weather updates, runway closures, and even traffic condition in the runway.
Unfortunately and despite the huge amount of space available, traffic, commonly known as airport congestion, is still an issue. When this happens, aircrafts won’t be able to takeoff properly and could cause accidents, which is something everyone wants to avoid.
Mechanical Delay
One of the standard operating procedures to be conducted is checking the aircraft prior to the scheduled flight. This is a must because more than anything else, safety is the top priority.
If they see any issues while testing the plane, the Operations Team will conduct troubleshooting procedures to ensure that the aircraft is safe and viable to fly. This may take some time, but again, safety of not just the passengers but the crew as well is a must.
Waiting For Connecting Passengers And Cargo
Not all flights are direct to a specific destinations. At times, you need to have a connecting flight to arrive in the country where you’ll work. When there are passengers in the connecting flight, you have to wait for them as well.
There’s no issue if the passengers and cargo from the connecting flight did not experience any delay. Otherwise, expect your flight to be delayed as well for hours.
Delay Caused By Cabin Crew
Sadly, this happens. Generally, there is an assigned cabin crew for every flight. But if the crew assigned is coming from another flight that is also running late, then delay might happen – even if it means waiting for them.
Catering Concerns
Believe it or not, this could be a cause of delay. International flights take hours, which is why most aircraft serve food along the way.
Unfortunately, there are instances when the catering arrived late for various reasons like traffic or last-minute preparations. When this happens, departure will be delayed as well.
Security Concerns
This is crucial. Sometimes, there will be last minute cancellations because of unforeseen situations in the country of destination, similar to what happened in Hong Kong last August 2019.
Stringent security clearances is another issue to look into. Some countries require submission of detailed and time-consuming clearance to allow the plane to depart, which explains the delay.
Don’t worry. Regardless of the delay, you can still work overseas and start a better life there. Just make sure that you have all your travel documents with you and don’t forget to bring water, food, and other things that will help you kill time.