Major local airlines have suspended several domestic flights due to the current restrictions imposed by the government on non-essential travel in and out of Manila.
From March 25 to April 4, Philippine Airlines cancelled flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport to and from Caticlan and Cebu, while flights to and from Legazpi were suspended from March 26 to April 2.
PAL also suspended flights to and from Kalibo from April 1 and 3, and flights to and from Busuanga, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Iloilo, Tagbilaran and Caticlan from April 1 to 4.
Flights to and from Ozamiz scheduled on April 2 were also suspended.
The Cebu Pacific Air also made domestic flight cancellations from March 25 to April 4.
Flights cancelled include those to and from Caticlan, Cagayan de Oro, Legazpi, Pagadian, Cauayan, Coron, Ozamiz, Iloilo, Naga, Virac and Cebu.
At present, the local airlines are operating domestic flights carrying only essential travelers such as returning overseas Filipino workers, locally stranded individuals, and approved persons outside residences, but subject to compliance with travel protocols required by the local government units of final destination.
The Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Infectious Diseases passed a resolution prohibiting non-essential travelers to and from Manila from March 22 to April 4, while the National Capital Region and some provinces in Southern Tagalog are placed under general community quarantine.
Philippine airlines announced that their domestic flights would be limited to only essential travelers after the government imposed stricter guidelines beginning March 22, until April 04, 2021 amid rising cases of COVID-19 in Metro Manila and adjacent provinces.
On Monday, Philippine Airlines said it will only carry passengers traveling for non-leisure purposes between Manila and domestic stations from March 22 until April 4, 2021.
PAL said domestic leisure travelers affected by these restrictions may convert their ticket to a travel voucher, avail of unlimited rebooking or refund their ticket without penalties.
“If you are a leisure traveler already in a domestic destination and wish to return home, PAL will operate flights to Manila to accommodate returning leisure travelers,” PAL said.
“If you are a Returning Overseas Filipino (ROF), Locally Stranded Individual (LSI) or Authorized Person Outside of Residence (APOR), PAL will continue to accept you on flights, provided that you secure all requirements by your Local Government Unit (LGU),” it added.
AirAsia Philippines assured guests of its regular flight operations inbound and outbound Manila to domestic destinations for essential travelers.
Essential travelers must present valid documents such as identification cards that will show proof of residence and must comply with other travel requirements as prescribed by their respective local government units.
“AirAsia aims to make it as convenient as possible for everyone to travel, apart from ensuring you arrive safely at your destination with confidence and peace of mind especially during these challenging times. We know how much our fellow countrymen want to go home, and we are ready to assist our guests in flying them,” Steve Dailisan, spokesperson of AirAsia Philippines, said.
“We continue to work with our partners in the government to ensure a safe and swift journey for our guests and complies with the advice and regulations from global and local health agencies, civil aviation authorities, and local government units,” he added.
Non-Essential travelers coming from and going to Manila with existing flight bookings with a departure date from March 22 to April 4 can move their flight from April 5 until June 30 and will be able to select from a range of extended flexibility options for future travel.
Cebu Pacific, on the other hand, said it will continue to operate its flight schedule as planned for the next three days, however passengers who wish to postpone their flights and those traveling for non-essential reasons may select their preferred option through the Manage Booking portal on the Cebu Pacific website up to two hours before their scheduled flights.
“We”¯will provide updates”¯on flights from March 25 to April 4 in the coming days as more information becomes available,” Cebu Pacific said.