“There’s a possibility, but we need to set in place health protocols,” Defensor said.
The possible resumption of international flights at the airport comes after the national government has further eased travel restrictions by removing the mandatory Covid-19 swab tests for inbound foreigners and returning Filipinos as long as they have received Covid-19 booster shots.
The management of a major airline also urged the Iloilo provincial government to resume international flights.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic in March 2020, there were direct international flights to and from Hong Kong and Singapore at the Iloilo International Airport.
Defensor added that the provincial government has to consult other government agencies, including the Department of Health (DOH), Department of Tourism (DOT), and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), before deciding on the matter.