PAL offers special privileges for military, police  

Philippine Airlines on Friday became the second airline to grant special privileges for members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

In a statement, the flagship carrier said that its chairman, tycoon Lucio Tan, is granting 40 kilos free baggage allowance to AFP and PNP personnel in active service traveling on all PAL domestic routes on official or personal capacity in “recognition of their sacrifices for the country.”

To avail of the privileges, military and police personnel must present their valid identification card upon check in at the airport. Baggage exceeding the 40-kilo free baggage allowance shall be assessed the applicable excess baggage rates.

The grant — applicable across all fare brands — shall be valid only for travel until December 31, 2017.

“My heart goes out to our country's heroes and heroines who have sacrificed their lives in the battlefield and to all those who continue fighting to save Marawi and other critical areas. You deserve the country's highest honor,” Tan said.

Discount

Apart from free baggage allowance, PAL is also giving a 20-percent discount on all its regular domestic fare brands, except budget economy fare brands, to all active members of the AFP and PNP for any type of travel – official or personal. AFP and PNP personnel must present a valid ID card upon ticketing.

On July 25, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte will be honoring fallen soldiers of Marawi in Malacanang Palace with the family members of deceased soldiers as special guests.

PAL said it is extending two free domestic tickets to Manila for each family attending the said event called “Salamat Magigiting na Mandirigma, Go Negosyo Kapatid from Marawi Financial Assistance to the Families of Fallen Heroes.”

The airlines said it has donated P2 million to the AFP for the soldiers who are fighting or have fought in Marawi.

The Tan Yan Kee Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of the LT Group, as well as the PAL foundation, are carrying out donation drives and humanitarian cargo grants, respectively, for those affected by the Marawi situation.

AirAsia

On Wednesday, AirAsia announced that AFP personnel on peace-keeping mission will be able to enjoy free in-flight meals and snacks as well as an additional 40-kilogram baggage allowance.

The new policy, effective immediately, is a response to a post left by Inday Rakel on AirAsia's Facebook page about passengers offering extra luggage space for three soldiers on their way to deployment in Cotabato and Marawi who went over the allotted check-in baggage weight limit.

Rakel's has been liked over 26,000 times and shared by nearly 4,000 users as of July 19. —Ted Cordero/KBK, GMA News