Hong Kong bans PAL flights for 2 weeks

MANILA, Philippines — Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has been banned from operating passenger flights from Manila to Hong Kong for the next two weeks, but will continue to operate passenger flights from Hong Kong to Manila during the period.

The South China Morning Post reported yesterday that the Hong Kong government had banned PAL from operating flights between Manila and Hong Kong starting last Sunday up to Sept. 11.

PAL in a statement yesterday confirmed the suspension.

“Philippine Airlines passenger flights from Hong Kong to Manila continue to operate every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, according to our planned schedules. In the other direction, while PAL will not be able to carry passengers from Manila to Hong Kong up to Sept. 11 to comply with the restriction, we will continue to operate all-cargo flights into Hong Kong,” the airline said.

PAL said passengers affected by the ban may rebook, refund or convert their tickets into a travel voucher. Rebooking and refund service fees are waived.

The two-week ban, according to the South China Morning Post report, was imposed after three of the seven COVID-19 cases confirmed in Hong Kong on Sunday were found to have come from PAL’s flight PR300 from Manila.

PAL said all three passengers, two Filipinos and one Chinese national, presented negative COVID-19 test results when they checked in for their flight.

The airline said it consistently complies with industry and regulatory safety protocols in the Philippines and abroad.

“We reiterate that the top priority of Philippine Airlines has always been the safety and health of our passengers. We assure the flying public that strict safety measures are in place to protect our passengers throughout the journey on all our flights,” PAL said.

“Our advanced cabin air flow systems ensure a protective air flow inflight, and each plane has onboard HEPA filters to cleanse cabin air from bacteria and viruses. Our cabin crew who serve and assist wear full PPEs as well as face masks and shields. Every aircraft surface is also sanitized and disinfected after every flight,” it said.

In 2020, PAL was one of more than 150 airlines audited on its COVID-19 safety credentials by Safe Travel Barometer, an independent rating firm. PAL secured a 4.2 rating out of five, the highest score.

PAL said it was also the first local airline to be registered with IOSA, the IATA Operational Safety Audit that is the gold standard for adherence to international safety standards.

The airline completed its seventh consecutive IOSA renewal in 2019, marking a full 16 years of international safety compliance to date.