PAL set to resume limited flights

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will resume some of its local and international flights starting tomorrow after more than two months of suspension.

From June 1 to 30, PAL said it would operate limited international services as well as reduced number of domestic flights on most routes to and from Manila.

The international services will include routes to the US, Canada, Guam, Vietnam, mainland China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Japan, the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

It is also evaluating the possibility of operating selected services to London and Sydney by the next month.

“However, we shall not be operating any regular scheduled flights to and from the following international destinations for the month of June: Auckland, Bali, Bangkok, Beijing, Brisbane, Busan, Fukuoka, Guangzhou, Hanoi, Macau, Melbourne, Phnom Penh, Perth, Port Moresby, Quanzhou (Jinjiang), Sapporo, Seoul (Incheon) and Shanghai,” PAL added.

The domestic services that will start taking off again include Manila to and from Basco, Laoag, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Busuanga, Bacolod, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Caticlan, Roxas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Butuan, Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro, Dipolog, Davao, General Santos, Ozamiz, Pagadian and Zamboanga.

PAL will also be resuming its Cebu-Davao-Cebu service.

“We plan to increase the number of routes and flights in the coming months, if allowed by aviation authorities, global public health conditions and the travel environment,” it said.

The flag carrier assures its passengers that it would strictly implement the new normal practices in compliance with international health and safety protocols. Under the new normal procedures, all passengers are required to bring and wear face masks at all times – at the airport and also throughout the flight.

It also advised passengers to check-in online and arrive at least three hours prior to departure for domestic flights and four hours for international flights.

PAL said its cabin crew would have undergone rapid antibody testing prior to the flight and will be wearing full personal protective equipment on board the flight.

A modified meal and snack service will be offered on board, using sealed packaging instead of traditional meals.

“Don’t worry about the cabin air – all PAL aircraft are equipped with high-technology systems that continuously infuse fresh air across the cabin, as well as HEPA filters that trap viruses, bacteria and other contaminants with 99.9 percent efficiency,” PAL said, adding that onboard air creates a cleaner environment compared to hospital operating rooms.

“As the world continues to grapple with the pandemic and the related economic challenges, we continue to ask for the cooperation and support of all our valued customers, our partners in government and the transport and tourism industry, and our family of PAL personnel. Your health and safety will always be our top concern,” it added.