The Air Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP) is calling on the government to simplify the requirements for travelers, and make necessary adjustments in the travel policies in order to meet the start of upsurge of travel demand during the holidays.
In a statement, the ACAP is also urging the Local Government Units (LGUs) to accept vaccination cards even if they have no QR codes, saying it is part of the simplified processing of travel.
The Philippine airline industry is currently experiencing high demand for flights based on forward bookings and passenger inquiries.
In order to meet the aiiline travel demands, ACAP is also appealing to the government to increase the prevailing cap of 4,000 to10,000 passengers daily on international arrivals for inbound passengers carried by all international airlines into the country.
"ACAP also shared the view that fully-vaccinated inbound travelers from 'Green List' countries should no longer form part of, and be excluded from the daily cap on international arrivals, considering that these travelers are no longer undergoing facility-based quarantine upon their arrival," the statement read.
ACAP is likewise calling for a reduction of quarantine days for fully-vaccinated passengers from "Yellow List" countries, from the current five days to just two days.
"These recommendations, if considered and adopted by the government, will enable travelers, especially Overseas Filipino Workers and balikbayans who have long been wanting to return to the Philippines for Christmas, to enjoy seamless, convenient and hassle-free travel across all touch points of their journey," the statement read.
"Further, these measures, once implemented will be a huge boost to a recovering aviation and tourism industry, both of which were badly hit by the pandemic," it added.