Airlines appeal to passengers: Check flights, secure all requirements

MANILA, Philippines — As the country’s airlines continue to comply with travel restrictions, the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP) is appealing to all domestic passengers to proceed to the airport only when they have a confirmed flight.

The group composed of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines said passengers whose flights are cancelled or have a different travel date will not be allowed to enter the terminals of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) by security personnel.

It added that passengers who are unable to present boarding documents at the terminal entrance will also not be allowed to enter airport premises.

“ACAP understands the need of our guests, especially locally stranded individuals, to fly back to their respective home provinces at the soonest time possible. At the same time, we also understand the concerns of the national government and concerned local government units (LGUs) with regards to the risks surrounding the surge of travelers from Metro Manila,” it said.

Necessary travel documents are required before proceeding to the airport for one’s confirmed flight.

ACAP said a travel authority or travel pass issued by the Joint Task Force COVID Shield, as well as a medical certificate from the municipal or city health office, are required to travel across provinces or regions. Other travel documents required by LGUs may be applicable, and passengers are advised to check with the LGU of their destination for local travel requirements.

It assured passengers that it is continuously working with the Department of Transportation, Civil Aeronautics Board, Manila International Airport Authority and other government agencies to find ways to expedite the mounting of additional flights.

“The situation is very fluid as travel restrictions from the national and LGUs change as they manage the current public health situation. Flights are limited at the moment as airlines comply with these restrictions. In the meantime, we appeal to all our passengers to proceed to the airport only when they have confirmed flights,” ACAP said.

To be updated, it urged passengers to check on the email address and mobile numbers they provided upon booking for any change to their flight schedules.

Those who booked through travel agencies or asked others to book their flights should also check with them for any updates. 

“We appeal for cooperation and understanding from our guests as we find ways to combat the spread of COVID-19, uphold the safety and wellbeing of guests while ensuring smooth and safe travels,” ACAP said.

Cebu Pacific spokesperson Charo Logarta-Lagamon earlier said 20 passengers of its Manila-General Santos flight on Tuesday were offloaded due to insufficient requirements.

AirAsia Philippines head of communications David de Castro said they have so far denied boarding to only 10 guests due to the lack of necessary documents.

Don’t add to chaos at NAIA

Meanwhile, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said the government would no longer allow the public to get off at NAIA and its vicinity if they do not have proper flight documents.

The decision came after nearly 500 stranded individuals resorted to camping outside the airport while waiting for their flights back home.

Año said they have set up quarantine checkpoints in the area to ensure that individuals will not loiter or camp around the NAIA premises.

“There is a checkpoint there, they will not allow you in. You will not also be allowed to camp below the skyway. Do not go there if you don’t have a scheduled flight,” he said in Filipino over dzBB.

He urged the public to no longer add to the chaos in the vicinity of NAIA, where many individuals opted to stay hoping that they will be able to board, even by chance, one of the flights back to their provinces. 

Earlier, 461 individuals camping near NAIA were taken to the Villamor Airbase Elementary School and 110 more to a state college in Pasay City for temporary shelter. 

The head of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said the administration is exerting effort to help all locally stranded individuals to go back home but this would be done in phases and should be properly coordinated. 

He noted that more people started flocking to the airport following reports that an initial batch of locally stranded individuals were transported by the Air Force to their respective provinces.

However, Año said that these sweeper flights need to be properly coordinated as military flights are prioritizing supply and official missions to the provinces. Rudy Santos, Romina Cabrera