PAL ready to offer non-stop flights for Balikbayans

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Tuesday welcomed the government’s decision to further ease travel restrictions as it allowed the visa-free entry of “balikbayans” or former Filipino citizens.

With this, PAL said it will offer regular direct flights to facilitate their travel to the Philippines.

“The flag carrier welcomed Resolution No. 85 of the Inter Agency Task Force on Infectious Disease (IATF) allowing the visa-free entry of 'Balikbayans', effective from December 7, 2020,” it said.

The visa-free entry privilege also applies to foreign spouses and children of Filipino nationals, provided they travel with the Filipino nationals. 

"We are ready to do our part to serve our Balikbayans and perk up the Philippine tourism industry to help sustain Filipino jobs and livelihoods,” PAL said.

"Travelers from the United States, Canada, the U.K., Australia and much of Asia will get to 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," it added.

Balikbayans and overseas Filipinos may choose the following regular weekly PAL flights:

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. Our HEPA filters disinfect cabin air of bacteria and viruses with 99.99% efficacy. Our cabin crew wear protective gear throughout the flight. We carry out intensive disinfection of aircraft surfaces before and after every flight," PAL said.

For passengers arriving in the Philippines who are non-OFWs, PAL said it 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 Government Officials/International Organization Officials and their dependents (diplomatic visa)
• Holders of Special Non-Immigrant Visas

Passengers arriving in Manila 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. -MDM, GMA News