CAB tells carriers to reset flights initially for June 1

THE Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) on Saturday stopped Philippine carriers from selling tickets for flights, which were supposed to commence on Monday, June 1, as the National Capital Region shifts to general community quarantine (GCQ) status. The three largest commercial air carriers in the country had announced their intentions to resume commercial flight operations starting June 1, a day immediately following the lifting of restrictions imposed by the government. Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific (CEB) and Air Asia (Z2) issued similar announcements of their intent to take to the skies come June 1. Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque said during a televised briefing “that the government would place Metro Manila, Laguna province, and Cebu City in Visayas under a “modified enhanced community quarantine” from May 16 to May 31. The local carriers took this to mean that come June 1, the lockdown would be lifted so that they can resume commercial flights, both domestic and international, albeit on a staggered basis for the latter. Aside from a few cargo and so-called sweeper or chartered flights, the three carriers have been grounded since March 15 when the community quarantine (CQ) was first imposed, then elevated to an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to last from March 17 to May 14. However, this was revised by the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) and downgraded into modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) to last until May 31. An advisory signed on May 30, 2020, by CAB Executive Director Carmelo L. Arcilla, a copy of which was obtained by the Businessmirror, said, “Please be informed that the IATF has yet to approve the routes for domestic operations in the first week of June 2020. Consequently, airlines are hereby advised to cancel their flights on June 1, 2020, and to stop selling tickets for the said date.”

The advisory was released at around 7 p.m., and sent to the CEOS and other executives of the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines, Air Juan Aviation Inc., Air Philippines Corp., Airswift Transport Inc. Cebu Pacific, Cebgo, Island Aviation Inc., PAL, Airasia Philippines, and Skyjet Airlines.

Following the CAB advisory, PAL revised its plans, and announced on Saturday evening that its domestic flights would resume on June 8. Aviation sources intimated CAB had actually approved the flights for June 1, but failed to inform the IATF. CAB officials did not respond to text messages from this paper.

PAL had said it will mount limited international services on routes to the US, Canada, Guam, Vietnam, mainland China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, Japan, the UAE, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

However, the airlines said domestic f lights on most routes to and from its hub airport in Manila are fewer.

PAL domestic routes out of Manila go to: Basco, Laoag, Legaspi, Puerto Princesa, Busuanga, Bacolod, Cebu, Dumaguete, Iloilo, Kaliba, Caticlan, Roxas, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Butuan, Cotabato, Cagayan de Oro, Dipolog, Davao, General Santos, Ozamis, Pagadian, Zamboanga.

CEB and Ceb go said it will resume passenger flights on June 2, 2020, with a limited number of domestic flights. “We will continue to work with IATF, as well as other national and local government authorities, on the rules and requirements to resume commercial passenger f lights between areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).”

Airasia said it is set to gradually resume services in the Philippines on June 3 “following the government’s directive of easing community quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila and several parts of the country.”

The airline said, “The resumption of services will initially be for key domestic routes and will gradually increase to include international destinations by 1 July.”

The three air carriers said that, during the interim when flights were suspended, all of them have maintained their fleet properly, following aviation regulations set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (Icao).

“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. We are well prepared to welcome everyone onboard. As we resume our services around our network, Airasia is determined to help rebuildoureconomyandcountry.”said Airasia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla.

“All international flights remain

suspended from June 1 to 30, 2020,” Isla added, saying the carrier will provide updates on flight schedules from June 5 onwards

PAL said it will operate the Manila to Los Angeles round trip on PR 102/103 from June 8 and June 10, while flight PR 102 and 103 is every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday to take effect on June 11.

For Airasia, the foreign routes open on June 12, going to Singapore, Xiamen, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh.

“The Manila-hong Kong round trip will take effect on June 13, and 17, 2020, while Manila-taipei round trip takes effect on June 16, Manilatokyo-manila effective June 22 and the rest of Japan routes.”

Airasia said Middle East flights to Doha, Dubai, Dammam, Riyadh will take effect on June 15.

Miaa ready–monreal

THE Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) is ready to accommodate domestic and international flights.

Airport chief Ed Monreal said, “we are all set for the resumption of flights. All facilities are disinfected, social distancing are observed and our operation department and personnel are ready, even our public affairs assisting our senior citizen, and to guide passengers where to go or proceed for airline information.”

Provinces not ready

MEANWHILE, Undersecretary for Tourism Regulation, Coordination, and Resource Generation Arturo P. Boncato Jr. said several provinces in the south sought a postponement of commercial flights to prepare their airports and resorts to host tourists. Among these are Siargao and Boracay.

“The provincial government of Surigao del Norte would like to prepare for the reopening of Siargao especially dealing with incoming flights and reopening of resorts, etc. They are working on their protocols,” he said. The province has requested the IATF for a “suspension of regular airport operations up to August 31,” and discourages the entry of tourists, as per the LGU’S Executive Order 20018 issued on May 30.

Boncato added, “The province of Aklan and LGU of Malay are also doing simulationsanddryrunsforreopening and have yet to announce a reopening date.” Malay hosts Boracay Island, dubbed one of the best beaches in the world.theislandisbuildingacovid-19 laboratory, in anticipation of the tourist influx, said the DOT official.

Other provinces which have also declined to reopen for tourism were Bohol and Baguio. These provinces have been placed under MECQ and as per IATF regulations, are allowed to resume tourism activities.