PAL optimistic resumption of non-essential travel would lead to higher passenger demand

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines on Monday said it is still on a wait-and-see mode, but is optimistic that the resumption of non-essential outbound travel later this week would lead to higher passenger demand.

According to PAL spokesperson Maria Cielo Villaluna, the carrier is currently operating only about 17% to 20% of its normal flight frequencies, which was around 350 to 280 flights daily prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"With this latest pronouncement, we are hoping that the percentage... there will be a percentage increase in the anticipated passenger demand for travel," she said during the virtual Laging Handa briefing.

Just last week, the inter-agency task force for the management of emerging infectious diseases (IATF-EID) said restrictions on non-essential outbound travel of Filipinos will be lifted starting Wednesday, October 21.

"Kami po ay naniniwala na magkakaroon or this will lead to a jumpstarting or restarting of international travel at dadami ang ating pasahero," said Villaluna.

In August, PAL was named among the top 10 safest airlines when it comes to safety for travel amid the pandemic according to the Safe Travel Barometer.

The airline has continued to implement the following measures since May:

• Thermal scans before entering ticket office; no mask, no entry for all visitors;
• Managed social distancing inside ticketing office;
• PAL staff wearing face masks;

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• Transparent barriers at the counter;
• Passengers advised to check-in online and be at the airport early—four hours before international departures and three hours before domestic departures from airports in the Philippines;
• Face masks required for all flights;
• Up to two kilos allowed from the original seven kilos carry on;
• For Free Baggage Allowance: 5 kilos added to passenger's FBA;
• Passengers may carry on board up to 10 100ml bottles of sanitizers with up to 70% alcohol;
• Rigorous cabin cleaning and disinfection;
• Crew in full Personal Protective Equipment;
• Simplified meal or snack service;
• Social Distancing cabin seating options;
• HEPA filters to purify cabin air

— RSJ, GMA News