LOCAL carriers Cebu Pacific, AirAsia Philippines and Philippine Airlines (PAL) have announced the suspension of all their international and domestic flights until April 30, as the government extended the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to curb the spread of the coronavirus pandemic.
The three airlines earlier announced temporary halt of flight operations until April 14, since the ECQ in the National Capital Region was supposed to end on April 14, subject to the daily review by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Infectious Disease (IATF).
On April 7, however, President Rodrigo Duterte heeded the recommendation of the IATF and extended the Luzon-wide ECQ until April 30.
In an advisory, Cebu Pacific said passengers may put the ticket value to a travel fund valid for one year, or rebook their flights within three months, with both the rebooking fees and fare difference waived.
They can also opt for a full refund, which will be processed beginning May 4.
AirAsia’s guests, on the other hand, with bookings made on/before March 22 and with flight departure until May 31 may opt for a full refund.
They may also select a new travel date before October 31 on the same route.
Flight change may be done for an unlimited number of times without an additional cost, but subject to seat availability.
Further, they may opt to retain the ticket value in their membership account.
Meanwhile, PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna earlier said the low travel demand, travel restrictions imposed by various local government units as well as various governments abroad, led them to temporarily halt flight operations.
In its advisory, PAL said it intends to resume flight operations on May 1, “if allowed by government authorities, global public health conditions and the travel environment.”
PAL’s guests can also choose to refund, rebook or reroute their tickets. Unused ticket value can be converted to a travel voucher valid for one year.(with reports from PNA/PN)
