PAL, Cebu Pacific revise Boracay-bound flights

Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific Air announced through social media accounts that services to Caticlan and Kalibo will be revised due to the order to close the resort-island for six months.

The announcements were made after President Rodrigo Duterte approved the proposal to close Boracay Island to local and foreign tourists for six months so environment issues that have besieged the community would be resolved.

PAL, in a statement, said the company will scale down services to Calictan and Kalibo airports and expand flights to other provincial destinations.

"PAL will operate nine weekly flights between Manila and Kalibo and seven weekly flights between Manila and Caticlan to maintain continued links to these gateways to Boracay and Aklan province," the airline company announced.

"Boracay is a national treasure," said PAL President Jaime J. Bautista.

“We fully support the government's intention to make Boracay fully safe and environmentally friendly.  Sustainable development is of critical concern, and we are one with the laudable goal to revert the island to a balanced eco-tourism paradise. We seek the understanding of our passengers as your flag carrier and the aviation industry cooperate in this multi-sectoral endeavor. 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,” he added.

On the other hand, Cebu Pacific Air advised that flight schedules to Caticalan and Kalibo are revised due to the Boracay closure.

— BAP, GMA News