Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific on Tuesday, May 6 announced preliminary preparations for resuming flight operations. Also announced were safety measures that would implemented for both their staff and travelers.
Local carriers of the Philippines temporarily suspended international and domestic flights until May 15 which is in line with the ongoing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other select areas considered high risk due to the ongoing COVID-19 global pandemic.
In a statement Cebu Pacific said it will cater to a limited number of domestic routes once flight operations resume.
Passengers may expect a “new normal” which Cebu Pacific describes as “contactless flights”.
Cebu Pacific’s Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience, Candice Iyog, said apart from encouraging passengers to check-in online, they will also hold their own boarding passes for the staff to scan the barcode. Further adding that physical distancing will be observed in lines and boarding.
As for the flight crew, they will be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and will also have to undergo rapid antibody test.
Both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific will require passengers to wear face masks all throughout the flights. Also noting that detailed disinfection of the flight cabin, before and after flights will be undertaken with sanitizers made readily available.
Meanwhile, Philippine Airliens spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the resumption of commercial flight operations would depend on travel demand, safety, in addition to any travel restrictions that are imposed by various governments.
Both airlines have been mounting all-cargo flights to carry essential medical supplies since the implementation of the ECQ. Philippine Airlines has operated several sweeper flights to transport stranded nationals out of the Philippines.
