Airlines make changes to Boracay flights
FOLLOWING the announcement that Boracay will be closed for six months starting April 26, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines (PAL) have scaled down, suspended, and cancelled some of their flights to and from Caticlan and Kalibo airports.
“PAL will scale down its services to Caticlan and Kalibo airports for a six-month period beginning late April, and expand flights to a number of other Philippine tourist and provincial destinations during said period to help ensure the continued growth of domestic tourism,” PAL said in their 10:50pm advisory posted on their Facebook page on April 4.
The flag-carrier said they will now operate nine weekly flights between Manila and Kalibo (PR2969 and 2970) and seven weekly flights (PR2041/2042) between Manila and Caticlan to maintain continued links to these gateways to Boracay and Aklan province.
“All other Caticlan and Kalibo flights from Manila will be suspended from April 20 to October 27, while flights to Caticlan from Cebu and Clark will be suspended from April 26 to October 27,” PAL said.
The airline said starting April 20, it will deploy additional flights on routes between Manila and Cebu, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa and Bacolod -- Manila-Cebu-Manila (PR2847/2848), daily; Manila-Iloilo-Manila (PR2149/2150), daily; Manila-Puerto PrincesaManila (PR2789/2790), Thursday; and Manila-Bacolod-Manila (PR2135/2136), Thursday.
Starting April 26, PAL will increase flights on the following routes between Cebu and Busuanga (Coron), Cebu and Siargao, as well as between Clark and Busuanga (Coron) -Cebu-Busuanga-Cebu (PR2694/2695), daily; Clark-Busuanga-Clark (PR2698/2699), daily; and Cebu-Siargoa-Cebu (PR2382/2383).
Starting April 28, PAL will increase flights on the following routes between Cebu and Clark (PR2833/2834), Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
Starting May 1, PAL will increase flights on the following routes between Manila and Dumaguete as well as Manila and Cagayan de Oro -- Manila-DumagueteManila (PR2541/2542), daily and ManilaCagayan de Oro-Manila (PR2531/2532), Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday.
“As we re-direct our passenger market flows to these other key PAL destinations, PAL anticipates that the additional flights will help increase demand and spur economic activity for the benefit of the travel and tourism communities in various regions of the country,” PAL said.
The airlines said passengers of the affected Kalibo and Caticlan flights have the option to rebook, reroute, or refund with penalties and charges waived. Rerouting options cover both domestic and international routes. Passengers may contact PAL Hotline (+632) (02) 855–8888, log on to www.philippineairlines.com, or visit the nearest PAL ticketing office or partner travel agent for the rebooking, rerouting, or refunding of their tickets.
“We fully support the government’s intention to make Boracay fully safe and environmentally friendly. Sustainable deMANILA
velopment is of critical concern, and we are one with the laudable goal to revert the island to a balanced eco-tourism paradise,” said PAL President Jaime J. Bautista in a statement.
He added, “In the long-term, a safe and revitalized Boracay will benefit all stakeholders in the travel and tourism sectors, and the Filipino people as a whole.”
Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific announced that it, including Cebgo, will be canceling its Caticlan and Kalibo flights.
Cancelled Cebu Pacific flights include Manila-Caticlan-Manila (5J891/892, 5J895/896, 5J899/900, 5J901/902, 5J905/906, DG6241/6242, DG6243/6244, DG6247/6248), Cebu-Caticlan-Cebu (5J132/133), Caticlan-ClarkCaticlan (DG6298/6299), Manila-Kalibo-Manila (5J331/332 and DG6317/6318), ManilaKalibo (5J339), Kalibo-Cebu (5J413 and
5J415), Cebu-Kalibo-Cebu (5J416/417), Clark-Kalibo (5J351), Kalibo-Clark (5J352),
Kalibo-Incheon-Kalibo (5J180/181 and starting June 1, 5J 182/183).
However, Cebu Pacific will still operate flights for Kalibo and Caticlan from April 26 to October 25, 2018 to serve local residents and ensure continuity of commerce in Northern Panay island. These flights include Manila-Kalibo-Manila (5J337/338), which will operated daily except from May 1 to 4, 2018; Manila-CaticlanManila (DG6245/6246), daily; and Cebu-Caticlan-Cebu (DG6272/6273), daily.
Cebu Pacific said affected passengers may take any of the following options: get a full refund; place the full value of the ticket in a travel fund for future use; rebook the flight, subject to seat availability; or reroute to any domestic destination, subject to seat availability. Affected passengers may manage their rebooking or refunds via the “Manage Booking” section in the airline’s website, www. cebupacificair.com.
President Rodrigo R. Duterte gave his approval during his meeting with his Cabinet officials at Malacañan Palace on Wednesday, April 4.
“Boracay [is] closed for six months effective 26 April,” Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. said in a text message sent to reporters.
The recommendation was made by the task force composed of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).
The temporary closure is seen by the National Government as a short-term solution to address the environmental woes hounding Boracay. RJL with SunStar Philippines they will just amend the previous executive order highlighting that they will just add the term "implementing task force" for the committee to oversee the needed projects.
Duterte-Carpio added that the Peace 911 will continue whatever the status of the talks.
"The Peace 911, because they are directed for peace and development projects, there are already plans for the Paquibato area. So hopefully, the claims they say as the reason why they join the rebel group will be addressed with the list of projects identified by the community in their community consultation," she said. KVC