MANILA, Philippines — In line with the government-imposed modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ), flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) cancelled all its regular scheduled domestic flights to and from Manila from August 4 to 18.

Meanwhile, all domestic flights between Clark, Cebu, Davao and cities other than Manila are not affected and shall remain operational, according to PAL.

International flights to and from Manila shall continue to operate, subject to further guidelines from the authorities in line with quarantine capacity and related arrangements.

Passengers of affected flights have the  options to rebook, refund or convert their ticket into a travel voucher, PAL said.

“We seek the understanding and full cooperation of our passengers as we make these necessary changes to comply with the government directives, and above all to support public safety,” the company asked its clients.

For updates and inquiries, PAL encourages its clients to visit its website at www.philippineairlines.com.  

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine Airlines announced on Tuesday (April 7) its plans of partial resumption of selected international and domestic flights in the coming weeks.

The country’s flag carrier clarified, however, that the plans may change depending on how the situation develops in relation to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak which includes the duration of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), travel bans and restrictions imposed by other countries and the overall public health and safety situation in each of the cities and countries that PAL operates in.

PAL also said it will not operate international flights from April 15 to 30 although it is considering making ad hoc special flights for stranded passengers and essential cargoes across the country and within the Asia-Pacific region.

READ: PAL mounts special flights from Manila to London for British nationals

Meanwhile, PAL said it is setting plans to resume a number of weekly flights for the month of May to several destinations including Japan, the USA, Canada, Guam, Australia, the U.K., Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, mainland China, Hong Kong, Taipei, Macau, Saudi Arabia, and Korea.

Once the details are finalized, the company assured to publish a list of flights in an updated advisory.

On the other hand, PAL maintained that all flights to the following destinations remain canceled for the month of May: Auckland, New York JFK, Dubai, Doha, Perth, Melbourne, Port Moresby, and Sapporo.

As for domestic flights, operations from April 15 to May 31 will depend on the changes with community quarantine restrictions imposed against domestic air travel, PAL said.

“We will await the final government decisions, and will announce the list of domestic flights to be operated once finalized,” the airline company said.

“However, in any case, we shall not be operating any flights to and from Clark International Airport for the month of April,” it added.

For guidelines and special reminders, affected passengers are advised to check on PAL official website at www.philippineairlines.com.

MANILA, Philippines – A departing passenger was nabbed at Davao International Airport while attempting to sneak in sharp objects past airport screening.

Personnel from the Office for Transportation Security (OTS) found two pieces of nipper and a nail pusher skillfully concealed inside a pomelo fruit on Monday (February 10.)

The x-ray operator Security Screening Officer (SSO) Rolando Pait detected the items after a suspicious image appeared on the x-ray screen.

The owner of the item, identified as Dioleta Barapon, was bound for Cebu via Cebu Pacific flight 5J 598.

According to Barapon, she intentionally hid the items inside the fruit as she considers them her prized possession.

OTS Administrator Usec. Raul Del Rosario warns passengers not to even attempt smuggling illegal items because it may put them in peril.

“Huwag po nating gagawin yung mga ganyan, dahil madedetect po natin yan. Remember, we have procured new and advanced technologies. Gone are the days when we can circumvent security screening procedures by artful concealment,” Del Rosario said.

“Maaari po kayong mapahamak o maabala, dahil baka po mapagkamalan na kayo po ay may hindi magandang intensyon sa pagtatago ng mga prohibited items papasok ng eroplano,” he added.

Del Rosario reminds all passengers to check their luggage before their scheduled flights and make sure no illegal item is inside their bag.

It is also safe to pack your own luggage, Del Rosario added.

Information on prohibited items may be viewed at the agency’s website www.ots.gov.ph and official Facebook page.

The incident was properly recorded and the item was properly discharged as part of the agency’s standard operating procedure.