ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. has approved outbound flights to Manila from the Iloilo Airport but only for locally stranded individuals, employees who have work in Metro Manila and overseas workers who have scheduled flights back to their employment abroad.
The initial outbound flights approved were those of the Philippine Airlines (PAL).
Defensor said air passengers must have “complete documents” including a travel authority from the Philippine National Police and certification that they were able to complete 14 days of quarantine and didn’t have symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) such as fever and cough, among others.
Yesterday, Defensor said there was a scheduled PAL outbound flight this Wednesday morning.
The governor clarified he would be allowing more outbound flights should other airlines offer them but only for locally stranded individuals, overseas workers and those who work in Metro Manila.
Inbound and outbound regular commercial flights for leisure purposes are not yet allowed, said Defensor.
“Asta nga may restrictions kita, indi kasulod sa Iloilo except returning overseas workers and locally stranded individuals,” stressed Defensor.
Iloilo province and the rest of Western Visayas remain under a modified general community quarantine until the end of this month unless extended further or lifted earlier.
A check on its website yesterday showed PAL issuing a domestic travel advisory for Iloilo; it announced Manila-Iloilo-Manila flights (PR 2141/2142) daily effective June 16.
It, however, had this notice: “Please note that we may have to cancel flights, add frequencies or adjust our planned schedules, based on evolving entry restrictions and requirements set by concerned local government units (LGUs). PAL coordinates closely with all LGUs and the aviation authorities, and we will comply with their approvals and conditions, as we all work together to promote and protect public health during these critical times.”
PAL further listed the following flights in Western Visayas:
* Manila – Bacolod – Manila (PR 2131 / 2132 – June 16 and 17)
* Manila – Kalibo – Manila (PR 2969 / 2970 every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday effective June 22)
* Manila – Caticlan (Boracay) – Manila (PR 2041/ 2042 every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday effective June 22)
* Manila – Roxas – Manila (PR 2203 / 2204 every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday effective June 23)
“We plan to increase the number of routes and flights in the coming weeks and months, if allowed by aviation authorities, global public health conditions and the travel environment,” according to the PAL advisory.
It also had a special reminder to domestic passengers: “Please check with the local government offices of both your origin point and your final destination on travel requirements, such as mandated documents or health certifications. These requirements differ from province to province, and are revised and updated constantly in line with the anti-COVID-19 arrangements of each locality.”
Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines-Iloilo (CAAP-Iloilo) terminal supervisor Art Parreño said yesterday they applied for up to June 30 extension of the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) with their cental office, citing the extension of the modified general community quarantine in Iloilo.
In a recent interview, Parreño said he was unsure when would commercial flights resume at the Iloilo Airport.
Commercial flights to and from Iloilo were suspended in March this year when the community quarantine was enforced to curb the spread of COVID-19.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the Iloilo Airport served around 25 arrival and departure flights daily, said Parreño.
Classified as an international airport, the Iloilo Airport is the first airport in both Western Visayas and the island of Panay to be built to international standards. It is also considered to be the primary gateway into the region./PN
