PAL halts Kalibo charter flights to Chinese destinations

In the wake of the first confirmed case of novel coronavirus in the country, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Thursday announced it halted flights between Kalibo, Aklan and several destinations in China.

“We have halted operations between Kalibo and Nanjing /Kalibo and Hangzhou/Kalibo and Shanghai,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.

These are PAL’s China chartered flights, she said, noting that “charterers have requested cancellations in the wake of concerns on the corona virus.”

The Department of Health (DOH) earlier confirmed the very first case of novel coronavirus in the Philippines.

At  a press conference, DOH Secretary Francisco Duque III said that a 38-year-old woman from Wuhan, China arrived in the Philippines via Hong Kong on January 21.

“Starting this week, January 27, we have stopped operating inbound Kalibo flight. However, all outbound flights from Kalibo were operated this week so that Chinese nationals can return back to their homeland,” Villaluna said.

“The last outbound Kalibo flight leaves at 5:10 p.m for Hangzhou. So starting next wee, no flights in and out Kalibo,” she said.

Passengers with tickets for travel between January 24 and February 29 may rebook to a new travel date until June 2020, the PAL official said.

“Refund and rerouting are also available options with service fees waived,” she said.

PAL flights between Manila and China (Beijing/Shanghai/ Guangzhou/ Jinjiang/Xiamen/HKG and Macau) are continuing, the airline official said.

“All our cabin crew wear masks on board. Passengers who request are provided,” Villaluna said.

“We carry out cabin spraying. Inflight announcements are made to inform the passengers that thermal scanning will be carried out by the Bureau of Quarantine at point of arrival,” she said. — MDM, GMA News