PAL won't accept foreign passengers from US

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will stop accepting foreign passengers from the US starting today in line with the inclusion of the US in the list of countries covered by travel restrictions.

The decision to include the US in the restrictions list was prompted by confirmed reports of the new strain of COVID-19 in several states in the US.

“With the inclusion of the United States in the list of countries covered by travel restrictions, Philippine Airlines will be unable to accept on flights to the Philippines effective 12:01 a.m. Jan. 3 to Jan. 15, 2021– foreign passengers from the US or foreign travelers who have been in the US within 14 days preceding their planned arrival in the Philippines,” the airline said.

Filipino citizens originating from the US or who have traveled to the US within 14 days prior to their scheduled arrival in the Philippines and are arriving in the country within the said period would be accepted on PAL flights, it said.

However, they will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine at a quarantine facility.

“All passengers – whether Filipino citizens or foreigner nationals – who are originating from the US or who have traveled to the US within the 14-day period prior to entering the Philippines and are arriving before 12:01 a.m. Jan. 3, 2021 will not be prohibited from entering the country but will have to undergo a 14-day quarantine at a stringent quarantine facility,” PAL said.

The latest travel restriction brings to 21 the total number of flagged countries.

PAL said it continues to operate flights to countries covered by the temporary travel restrictions such as Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Canada and the US subject to existing passenger restrictions.

The airline earlier said it would only accept Filipino citizens, their spouses and their families on board its flights from Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, Canada, South Korea and Australia for the period until Jan. 15.

PAL earlier announced the cancellation of flights to/from London until end-February in view of tightened restrictions by the UK government.

“PAL will cooperate closely with government authorities in support of all measures that seek to curb any potential increase in COVID-19 cases,” it said.

PAL said affected passengers may rebook on the next available flights after the restriction period, with rebooking service fees waived.

They may also refund the cost of their ticket with refunding service fees waived, or convert their PAL ticket into a travel voucher for future use. – Rudy Santos