aviation industry

Airlines ask gov’t to simplify travel policies during holidays

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Airlines ask gov’t to simplify travel policies during holidays

PANDEMIC TRAVEL. Many people are seen at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 in Pasay City on October 29, 2021. They are heading to their respective provinces for All Saints' Day.

Rappler

‘The travel peak month of December is expected to be marked by improved passenger arrivals as airline companies restore a significant segment of their flight route network,’ the Air Carriers Association of the Philippines says

The Air Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP) is appealing to the government to further simplify the travel requirements for the holiday season, which is expected to bring a surge in travel demand.

Citing the “improving health situation in the country,” ACAP urged the government to make necessary adjustments to policies on both domestic and international travel.

ACAP said that the Philippine airline industry is now experiencing a high demand for flights based on forward bookings and passenger inquiries, but there remain challenges, including the different sets of requirements of local government units.

“Lowered alert levels have led air carriers to ramp up international and domestic flights, subject to prevailing travel restrictions. The travel peak month of December is expected to be marked by improved passenger arrivals as airline companies restore a significant segment of their flight route network,” ACAP said in a statement on Saturday, November 20.

To address the potential difficulties, ACAP proposed four measures:

  • Acceptance of vaccine cards, with or without QR codes, by the LGUs
  • Increase of daily inbound international passenger arrivals, from 4,000 to 10,000
  • Exclusion of fully vaccinated inbound travelers from Green List countries from the daily cap on international arrival
  • Reduction of quarantine days for fully vaccinated passengers from Yellow List countries, from five days to 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 touchpoints of their journey,” the air carriers said.

ACAP members also said that each airline’s multi-layered approach to safety are in place. They also reassured the government that they will continue to do their responsibilities to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

“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,” ACAP said.

The Philippine government has announced the shortened required quarantine period for Filipinos and foreigners arriving from most countries, which will be implemented starting November 22. – Rappler.com

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