Philippine Airlines (PAL) said it plans to fly a reduced number of weekly flights on “most” domestic routes and “selected” international routes starting June 1.
The carrier has currently suspended all domestic and international flights to and from its hubs in Manila, Cebu and Clark until May 31.
PAL said it will announce the list of operating flights and routes for June “once the details are finalised”. It added that the resumptions of flights in June depends on “Covid-19 conditions” as well as “community quarantine restrictions”, travel bans imposed by various governments and “their impact on passenger demand”, and the “safety situation” in the destinations PAL is offering flights to.
In March, the Philippines imposed an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon, which is a total lockdown that restricts movement except for necessity, work, and health circumstances, in response to the coronavirus crisis. On May 12, the government announced that only Metro Manila and Laguna in Luzon would be under a modified ECQ from May 16 to May 31, according to Bloomberg.
The Philippines, like a number of governments worldwide, has issued entry restrictions and quarantine requirements in light of the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Currently, Philippine citizens and their foreign spouse/children are permitted to enter, but must undergo a 14-day home quarantine on arrival. Passengers travelling on a diplomatic passport can also travel to the country, but they will also be subject to a 14-day quarantine on arrival.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the Philippines has 14,669 confirmed coronavirus cases, among those 886 deaths as of May 27.