PAL eyes diverting flights to Cebu amid daily passenger cap at NAIA

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is looking to divert incoming flights from the Middle East to Cebu to follow the 1,500 daily passenger limit at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to Ivan Mayrina's report on "24 Oras."

“We are planning to divert flights from the Middle East, several flights from the Middle East to Cebu, to land in Cebu because the prohibition does not cover the Mactan Cebu Airport,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.

Passengers will still need to undergo quarantine in Cebu before going to Metro Manila.

However, this will ease the burden of quarantine facilities in Metro Manila, some of which are almost at full capacity.

At present, all arriving Filipinos immediately undergo quarantine upon arrival in the country. They are re-tested for the illness on the sixth day.

The Philippine government has suspended the entry of foreign nationals and returning overseas Filipinos who are non-overseas Filipino workers into the country starting Saturday, March 20 until Monday, April 19.

The National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) also directed concerned agencies to limit the number of inbound international passengers at NAIA to 1,500 a day.

The following individuals are exempted from the entry ban:

• Holders of 9(c) visas
• Medical repatriation and their escort/s duly endorsed by the DFA-OUMWA or OWWA
• Distressed returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) duly endorsed by DFA-OUMWA
• Emergency, humanitarian, and other analogous cases approved by the NTF-COVID-19

Some airlines have advised affected passengers that they may rebook, refund, or avail a travel voucher that is valid for two years.—Joahna Lei Casilao/LDF, GMA News