Local airlines all set for holiday season travels

Local carriers Philippine Airlines (PAL), Cebu Pacific (CEB) and AirAsia that operate at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) are all set to accommodate thousands of incoming travelers and will continue boosting their domestic and international routes in response to the high demand as travel protocols ease and Christmas travel season begins.

The local carriers are doubling their efforts to accommodate incoming locals like returning overseas Filipino workers and foreign visitors who are expected to arrive starting this month until the first part of January 2023.

“Our airport PAL teams will be on full manning to handle the expected arrivals this Christmas season. We are also changing terminal assignments for our international flight departures and arrivals to effectively deal with the surge of passengers,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.

“We know that many are raring to travel again to their favorite local and foreign destinations, so we are very excited to mount additional flights as we approach the holiday season,” CEB chief commercial officer Xander Lao said.

PAL, CEB and AirAsia are expecting hundreds, even thousands, of Filipino families to arrive to spend their Christmas in the country and be with their loved ones, while foreign visitors are also expected in huge volumes to visit the country’s tourist destinations.

Personnel from the Bureaus of Customs, Immigration and Quarantine, and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA)’s Public Affairs Assistance Office were advised by their superiors to cancel any leave during Christmas season to help accommodate and assist incoming passengers. Local carriers gave assurance that they continue to implement a multilayered approach to safety as their crew are 100-percent fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and their aircraft are equipped with HEPA filters.

Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista on Friday announced that the department had agreed with fiber broadband internet provider Converge ICT Solutions Inc. to provide free public WiFi services in passenger terminals of nine international and domestic airports nationwide.

Terminal changes

PAL yesterday announced changes in its Manila terminals effective Dec. 1.

Villaluna said all PAL flights to/from Canada, the United States and the Middle East would depart from/arrive at NAIA Terminal 1.

The transfer of US, Guam and Doha flights to Terminal 1 is in line with operational requirements in preparation for the busy holiday season.

The reassignment will be for December 2022 and beyond as PAL and the MIAA are working together to ensure the operational preparedness of the terminals.

Passengers are advised to check the flight terminal assigned to their flight before proceeding to the airport, to ensure hassle-free departure and arrival.

“Shuttle buses between Terminals 1 and 2 will be available for passengers with connecting flights at the other terminal,” Villaluna said.

All departure and arrival flights from Dammam, Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, Toronto, Vancouver, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Honolulu and Guam will be at NAIA Terminal 1.

All flight departures and arrivals from Bali, Bangkok, Brisbane, Fukuoka, Tokyo (Haneda), Osaka (Kansai), Narita, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Macau, Phnom Penh, Port Moresby, Singapore, Sydney, Taipei and Wuhan will be at NAIA Terminal 2.

All PAL domestic flights will remain at Terminal 2.

Villaluna said that if one’s flight is departing on or before Nov. 30, NAIA Terminal 2 is used for Manila departures of international flights, except flights to Toronto, Vancouver, Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam; and for Manila arrivals of international flights, except flights arriving from Toronto, Vancouver, Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam.

All domestic departures and arrivals remain at Terminal 2.