PAL to resume flights to Boracay on Oct. 1

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Tuesday announced it would resume on October 1 its flights to Boracay via the Caticlan airport in Aklan.

The resumption of Boracay flights is part of its efforts to boost domestic tourism as the government re-opens the popular Boracay Island this October.

In a statement, PAL said it first Manila - Caticlan - Manila service on Thursday, October 1, will depart from Manila at 11:10 a.m. as PR 2041 and will arrive at Caticlan's Godofredo P. Ramos Airport at 12:10 p.m.

The return flight, PR2042, will leave Caticlan at 12:55 p.m. and touch down in Manila at 1:55 p.m.

The flag carrier said it plans flights on October 4 (Sunday), 9 (Friday) and 11 (Sunday), which will pave the way for a regular twice weekly Manila-Caticlan-Manila schedule operating every Friday and Sunday from October 16 onwards, with the same timings. 

PAL's modern Dash 8 Q400 aircraft will be deployed for the revived Boracay flights, the airline said.

"Our Caticlan flights are here to support the Department of Tourism's vision to reopen Boracay island and other tourist destinations around the country," PAL said.

"PAL, DOT and travel industry stakeholders are working together to support jobs and livelihoods by rejuvenating domestic tourism,” it added.

The government has given tourists the green light to travel to Boracay from areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).

The decision was formalized in Resolution No. 74 of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, which has relaxed age restrictions for travel to Boracay while continuing to strictly enforce entry restrictions for persons with comorbidities.

Travelers to Boracay must present a COVID-negative result from an RT-PCR test taken "not earlier than 48 hours prior to the date of travel."

For proper screening, Caticlan Airport will be the sole port of entry for tourists arriving by airplane.

Health protocols like mask-wearing and physical distancing will be strictly enforced throughout Boracay island.

PAL also assured its passengers of its adherence to the highest safety protocols on its flights.

The airline said its aircraft are equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters which disinfect cabin air of bacteria and viruses with 99.99% efficacy, as well as an advanced air flow system that replaces cabin air every two to three minutes. Cabin crew wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) on flights.

Aircraft surfaces are thoroughly disinfected before and after every flight, PAL said. -NB, GMA News