PHILIPPINES AirAsia, Inc. announced on Sunday that it will operate a total of 18 domestic commercial flights when it resumes on Wednesday, June 3.
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) instructed airlines on Saturday to cancel their flights on June 1 as the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) had yet to approve their proposed routes for domestic air services for the first week of the month.
“AirAsia is set to gradually resume services in the Philippines on 3 June following the Philippine government’s directive of easing community quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila and several parts of the country,” the low-cost carrier said in an advisory.
It said the resumption of its commercial flights will initially be for domestic routes and will gradually increase to include international destinations in July.
The airline also said there will be 12 commercial flights between its hubs in Manila and Cebu, Davao, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod, and Tagbilaran.
It will operate six flights between Clark and Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao hubs.
AirAsia’s operations for domestic flights will be temporarily moved from Terminal 4 to Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
“The temporary suspension of Terminal 4 operations is until further notice by airport authorities,” it said.
Philippines AirAsia Chief Executive Officer Ricardo P. Isla was quoted as saying: “During the hibernation of our fleet, we took the time to step up our handling procedures to ensure that our guests have a swift and safe journey with us.”
“Needless to say, we are well prepared to welcome everyone onboard. As we resume our services around our network, AirAsia is determined to help rebuild our economy and country,” he added.
CEBU PACIFIC
Cebu Pacific, operated by Cebu Air, Inc., and its subsidiary Cebgo said on Saturday that they will resume their domestic passenger flights beginning Tuesday.
The Gokongwei-led airlines will be operating flights between Manila and General Santos, Naga, Cagayan de Oro, and Cebu from June 2 to June 4. In Manila, all their flights will depart and arrive at the NAIA Terminal 3.
The budget airlines also reminded the public that leisure travel is not yet being allowed by the government.
Passengers should also check the guidelines from the IATF-EID and coordinate with the local governments of their origin and destination for the necessary documents when travelling.
PHILIPPINE AIRLINES
Also on Saturday, flag carrier Philippine Airlines, operated by PAL Holdings, Inc., said that it will begin resuming its domestic passenger flights on June 8 instead of June 1, which it had initially announced last Friday before CAB’s advisory.
PAL will operate flights between Manila and Basco, Laoag, Legazpi, Puerto Princesa, Busuanga, Bacolod, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kalibo, Caticlan, Roxas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Butuan, Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro, Dipolog, Davao, General Santos, Ozamis, Pagadian, and Zamboanga.
There will also be flights between Cebu and Davao effective June 8.
PAL will also resume operating limited international services on June 1.
The flag carrier is set to operate flights between Manila and San Francisco starting June 1; followed by Singapore on June 3; Los Angeles on June 8; Vancouver and Toronto on June 10; New York on June 11; Guam on June 12; Honolulu Jakarta, and Kuala Lumpur on June 13; Ho Chi Minh, Doha, Dubai, Dammam, and Riyadh on June 15; Taipei on June 16; Xiamen on June 17; Hong Kong on June 19; and Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya on June 22. — Arjay L. Balinbin
