PAL, Cebu Pacific prepare to fly again

BUDGET carrier Cebu Pacific and flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Tuesday unveiled their safety measures as they prepare for the resumption of commercial flights.

The Presidential Palace also announced on Tuesday that the temporary ban on international inbound flights, which started on Sunday, will only be until May 8, 11:59 p.m.

Cebu Pacific, operated by Cebu Air, Inc., said all its pilots and cabin crew will undergo rapid antibody tests before deployment. All its operating crew, including ground staff, will also don personal protective equipment (PPE) while on duty.

“Cleaning and disinfection procedures have been ramped-up for all CEB facilities and equipment such as self check-in kiosks, check-in and bag drop counters and shuttle buses. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers will be provided for all passengers and staff at the airport and inside the aircraft,” the budget carrier said.

It said all its aircraft will also undergo extensive daily disinfection, and passengers will be required to wear face masks upon entry at the airport and for the duration of the flight.

Cebu Pacific also said it may initially restart commercial operations with a limited number of domestic flights.

PAL, operated by PAL Holdings, Inc., advised its passengers to be at the airport early: four hours before international departures and three hours before domestic departures from airports in the Philippines.

“Due to the government’s extension of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine period, all PAL international and domestic flights are canceled up to May 15,” it also said.

PAL said it continues to operate all-cargo flights to carry essential medical supplies into the country from the Asia-Pacific region. — Arjay L. Balinbin