The Philippine Airlines is offering regular direct flights to the country as it hailed the decision of the government to allow anew balikbayan visits.
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said the flag carrier welcomed Resolution No. 85 of the Inte- Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Diseases (IATF) allowing visa-free entry of balikbayan effective December 7, 2020.
This privilege also applies to foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals, provided they travel with the Filipino citizen.
“We are ready to do our part to serve our balikbayan and perk up the Philippine tourism industry to help sustain Filipino jobs and livelihoods,” PAL said in a statement.
“Travelers from the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and much of Asia will get to enjoy PAL's nonstop flights to the Philippines, designed for a safe travel experience that avoids connecting via other countries, and offering strong health and safety measures to protect our passengers,” PAL added. “This is the most convenient way for them to be reunited with their families.”
Balikbayan and overseas Filipinos may choose from a wide range of regular PAL flights every week, as follows:
1. From the United States
- Los Angeles - Manila (up to six flights per week)
- San Francisco - Manila (up to four flights per week)
- New York - Manila (two flights per week)
- Honolulu - Manila (up to two flights weekly)
- Guam - Manila (up to two flights weekly)
2. From Canada
- Toronto - Manila (once weekly)
- Vancouver - Manila (two flights weekly weekly)
3. From the United Kingdom
- London (Heathrow) - Manila (up to two flights weekly)
4. From Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea
- Sydney - Manila (December 6, 10 and 19)
- Melbourne - Manila (December 6 and 19)
- Brisbane - Manila (December 10)
- Auckland - Manila (December 18)
- Port Moresby - Manila (December 20)
5. From Asia
- Singapore - Manila (Daily)
- Kuala Lumpur - Manila (once weekly)
- Jakarta - Manila (twice weekly)
- Tokyo Haneda - Manila (four flights weekly)
- Tokyo Narita - Manila (up to daily flights)
- Fukuoka - Manila (three flights weekly - Wed/ Fri/ Sun)
- Osaka Kansai - Manila (up to daily flights)
- Nagoya - Manila (up to four flights weekly)
- Hong Kong - Manila (daily flights)
- Taipei - Manila (three flights weekly)
6. From the Middle East
- Dubai - Manila (five flights weekly)
- Dammam - Manila (five flights weekly)
- Riyadh - Manila (daily flights)
- Doha - Manila (two flights weekly)
Also allowed entry based on existing government regulations are:
- Foreigners with Philippine Resident Visas
- Seamen /Foreign Airline crew (crew visa)
- Accredited Foreign Goverment Officials/International Organization Officials and their dependents (diplomatic visa)
- Holders of Special Non-Immigrant Visas
As the country reopens its doors to balikbayan, PAL assured that it will observe the highest safety standard.
“The flag carrier observes the highest safety standards in all phases of the travel experience. Our HEPA filters disinfect cabin air of bacteria and viruses with 99.99% efficacy. Our cabin crew wear protective gear throughout the flight. We carry out intensive disinfection of aircraft surfaces before and after every flight,” said PAL.
Passengers are reminded to register at least three days prior to their date of departure for the Philippines so arrangement will be made for the mandatory swab test upon arrival, free of charge.
Arriving OFWs they may register at: https://e-cif.redcross.org.ph/
For all non-OFW passengers, including returning overseas Filipinos, authorized foreign nationals, etc., they may register at: https://bit.ly/3ffoAIK
PAL also established a One-Stop Shop testing center for non-OFWs for the mandatory RT-PCR tests at NAIA Terminal 2 at a lower charge of P4,000. Test results will be out within 12 to 24 hours.
For passengers arriving in Cebu (Mactan-Cebu International Airport or MCIA), they are required to register online not earlier than five days prior to their flight departure via the Passenger Arrival Registration Form through https://mactancebuairport.com/covid-19-registration
For passengers arriving in Clark (Clark International Airport), they are required to fill out the Health Declaration Card, Case Investigation Form, and the Affidavit of Undertaking to be collected upon arrival.