Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said it has decided to move the schedule of the resumption of its flights to Boracay via Caticlan airport in Aklan to October 4.
PAL had earlier announced that it will resume flights to Boracay on October 1.
The carrier said the decision to move the schedule of flights is aimed at boosting domestic tourism as the government is re-opening the popular Boracay Island to Filipino tourists.
PAL’s first Manila-Caticlan-Manila service starts Sunday, departing from Manila at 11:10 a.m. as PR 2041, and arriving at Caticlan’s Godofredo P. Ramos Airport at 12:10 p.m.
The return flight, PR2042, will leave Caticlan at 12:55 p.m. and touch down in Manila at 1:55 p.m.
PAL plans flights on October 4, 9 and 11. This will pave the way for a regular twice weekly Manila-Caticlan-Manila schedule operating every Friday and Sunday from October 16 onwards.
The company’s modern Dash 8 Q400 aircraft will be deployed for the revived Boracay flights.
“Our Caticlan flights are here to support the Department of Tourism’s [DOT] vision to reopen Boracay island and other tourist destinations around the country,” the carrier said.
“PAL, DOT and travel industry stakeholders are working together to support jobs and livelihoods by rejuvenating domestic tourism.”
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the government is giving local tourists the green light to travel to Boracay from areas under general community quarantine and modified general community quarantine.
This decision was formalized in Resolution 74 of the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases, which has relaxed age restrictions for travel to Boracay while continuing to strictly enforce entry restrictions for persons with comorbidities.
Villaluna said travelers to Boracay must present a Covid-negative result from an RT-PCR test taken “not earlier than 48 hours prior to the date of travel.”
The airport in Caticlan will be the sole port of entry for tourists arriving by airplane.
Health protocols like mask-wearing and physical distancing will be strictly enforced throughout Boracay Island.
PAL assures its passengers of its adherence to the highest safety protocols on its flights.
PAL aircraft are equipped with High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters which disinfect cabin air of bacteria and viruses with 99.99 percent efficacy, as well as an advanced air flow system that replaces cabin air every two to three minutes. Cabin crew wear personal protective equipment on flights. Aircraft surfaces are thoroughly disinfected before and after every flight.
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