PHILJETS Aero Charter Corp. said the embassies of France and Germany in Manila had partnered with the business aviation company to evacuate their citizens who were stranded in different tourist destinations in the Philippines due to the lockdown.
In a statement e-mailed to reporters on Monday, PhilJets said it had mobilized its team and coordinated with its network to fly 144 tourists who were stranded in some provinces in the Philippines back to Manila where they would board chartered international flights to return to their respective home countries.
PhilJets said the flights were “mandated by the French Embassy and German Embassy” in Manila.
The foreign passengers were stranded in Boracay, Siargao, Cagayan de Oro, Butuan, Davao, PhilJets said.
It said all passengers were able to connect with their corresponding flights to Frankfurt and Paris on April 8.
Geoffroy Cahen, PhilJets commercial director who was involved in the planning, coordination and operation of the mission, was quoted as saying: “We are all delighted to have contributed to support this initiative and assist hundreds of tourists in need and we are happy they were able to reach their homes safely.”
PhilJets said it also tapped its industry partners to carry out the mission such as flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), Platinum Skies Aviation, and Asian Aerospace.
“We extend our gratitude to everyone involved in the missions in providing the stranded families a solution to get back home to their loved ones. We will continue to assist and provide our support to customers, partners and the community, to the best of our capabilities. We hope that together, we will manage to get through these difficult times,” PhilJets Chief Executive Officer Robert Reguero said.
PhilJets offers general aviation services including air transport, aircraft management, chartered flights, and tourism flights.
PAL, operated by PAL Holdings, Inc., announced recently that the British Embassy in Manila had arranged special flights to London scheduled on April 7 for stranded British travelers.
PAL, Cebu Air, Inc. (Cebu Pacific), Philippines AirAsia, Inc., Air Philippines Corp. (PAL Express), and Cebgo, Inc. have temporarily shut down their passenger operations after Luzon was placed under an enhanced community quarantine.
Over 30,000 flights were canceled, affecting nearly five million passengers, according to the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines. — Arjay L. Balinbin
