MANILA — The Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific are suspending their domestic flights amid the Covid-19 oubreak in the country and the lockdowns being implemented in Luzon and local government units in Visayas and Mindanao.
“It (advisory) actually means ‘effective midnight of March 17’. When the advisory was released, it was already past midnight of March 17, so we used ‘effective immediately’ (instead),” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna clarified with the Philippine News Agency (PNA) on Tuesday.
According to the advisory, PAL will continue its international flights until March 19, 11:59 p.m.
“We will announce in due course the status of our international flights from March 20 to April 12, as we are presently coordinating with government authorities on the relevant implementing details,” the advisory read.
No options for the affected passengers were announced. However, those who have travel and ticketing concerns were advised to call PAL’s hotline at (632) 88558888.
Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific said all its flights, including flights of its subsidiary, CebGo, will be canceled from March 19 to April 14, CEB spokesperson Charo Lagamon said.
Lagamon said the cancellations are for all its domestic and international flights to and from across the country, and not just in Luzon which was placed under enhanced community quarantine.
The airline, however, said flights scheduled on March 18 will push through. These are Manila-Bangkok-Manila; Manila-Tokyo (Narita)-Manila; Manila-Osaka-Manila; Manila-Nagoya-Manila; Manila-Ho Chi Minh-Manila; Manila-Singapore-Manila; Manila-Taipei-Manila; and Manila-Bali (Denpasar)-Manila.
It said affected passengers may rebook their flights with fare difference and change fee waived, get a full refund, or get a full travel fund. Those who would opt to forego traveling from April 15-30, on the other hand, may rebook their flight with a waived change fee, or get a full travel fund with a validity of up to 180 days.
Meanwhile, AirAsia Philippines also announced the cancellation of domestic flights to and from Clark beginning March 20 until April 14.
The carrier would cancel all international flights via Manila and via Clark from March 20 until April 14.
Affected passengers were given options to rebook their flight within 90 calendar days from the original flight schedule, retain the ticket value in their loyalty account, or get a full refund.
According to the Department of Transportation (DOTr), all gateways from Luzon will be closed after the 72-hour period from the start of the enhanced community quarantine. (With PNA reports)
