Philippine Airlines lauded the government's move to open up Balikbayan (returning Filipino resident) visits effective Monday next week (December 7, 2020) and will offer regular direct flights to facilitate travel to the country.
Resolution No. 85 of the Inter Agency Task Force on Infectious Disease (IATF) allows the visa-free entry of 'Balikbayans', effective December 7, 2020.
This latest visa-free privilege also applies to foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals, provided they travel with the Filipino nationals.
"We are ready to serve our Balikbayans and perk up the Philippine tourism industry to help sustain Filipino jobs and livelihoods," PAL said in a statement issued today (December 1).
"Travelers from the United States, Canada, the U.K., Australia and much of Asia will 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," according to PAL's statement.
Balikbayans and overseas Filipinos can choose from a wide range of regular PAL flights every week.
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)
From Canada
- Toronto - Manila (once weekly)
- Vancouver-Manila (two flights weekly weekly)
From the United Kingdom
- London (Heathrow)-Manila (up to two flights weekly)
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)
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)
From the Middle East - Dubai- Manila (five flights weekly)
- Dammam-Manila (five flights weekly)
- Riyadh- Manila (daily flights)
- Doha- Manila (two flights weekly)
The flag carrier observes the highest safety standards in all phases of the travel experience.
Its HEPA filters disinfect cabin air of bacteria and viruses with 99.99% efficacy.
The cabin crew wears protective gear throughout the journey and carry out intensive disinfection of aircraft surfaces before and after every flight.
For passengers arriving in the Philippines who are non-OFWs, PAL established a One Stop Shop testing center for the mandatory RT-PCR tests at NAIA Terminal 2, for a lower charge of P4,000, with test results within 12 to 24 hours.
OFWs will be swabbed by the government testing center at the airport, free of charge (the cost shouldered by the Philippine government).
The following travelers are also allowed entry based on existing government regulations:
- 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
Passengers arriving at Manila airport are required to register at least three days prior to their date of departure to arrange for the mandated COVID-19 swab test (RT-PCR) to be administered upon arrival.
Passengers arriving in Cebu (Mactan Cebu International Airport or MCIA), are required to register online not earlier than five days prior to their flight departure via the Passenger Arrival Registration Form.
Passengers arriving in Clark (Clark International Airport) are required to fill out the Health Declaration Card, Case Investigation Form, and the Affidavit of Undertaking to be collected upon arrival.