Koror, Palau – Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. voiced his disapproval of United Airlines’ decision to cancel flights last weekend, citing a lack of effort to explore alternative solutions regarding concerns with the airport’s jetways.
During a press conference, Minister of Public Infrastructure and Industries Charles Obichang clarified that not all jetways were unusable. He stated the cancellations occurred while jetway 3 remained operational.
“We never issued a statement about jetway 3 being unavailable,” Obichang emphasized. “Neither myself nor the Palau International Airport Company (PIAC) ever said this jetway wasn’t functioning. The decision to cancel due to safety concerns was solely United Airlines’, and it has nothing to do with us.” Obichang added that other airlines used jetway 3 without problems.
President Whipps echoed these sentiments, calling the situation entirely United Airlines’ responsibility. “We used the jetway on Saturday without issue,” Whipps said. “The policy to cancel flights was solely United Airlines’ decision.”
United Airlines customers stranded in Guam and Palau faced the burden of making their own arrangements for alternative flights. Many arriving passengers last night found their luggage left behind in Guam. One father, traveling with his daughter’s prom dress for her high school event, arrived empty-handed due to the misplaced luggage.
Upset by the situation, Whipps urged United Airlines to “exhaust all possible options” before resorting to flight cancellations.
United Airlines, citing safety concerns, canceled flights on Saturday but resumed operations from Wednesday to Friday.