The Air Carriers Association of the Philippines (ACAP) is calling on the government to make necessary adjustments to travel policies as the demand for flights is picking up as the holiday season nears.
In a statement, ACAP said the country’s airline industry is experiencing high demand for flights based on forward bookings and passenger inquiries.
“However, passenger sentiments expressed through the various platforms of all ACAP members indicate the challenges they face with varied requirements set by the local government units (LGUs),” the group said.
ACAP counts as members Air Philippines Corporation (PAL Express), Cebgo, Inc. (Cebgo), Cebu Air Inc. (Cebu Pacific), Philippine Airlines Inc. (PAL) and Philippines AirAsia Inc. (AirAsia Philippines).
ACAP called on LGUs to accept vaccination cards, with or without QR codes.
“This will simplify the proof of vaccination requirement regardless of the origin of the vaccine card,” it said.
The local carriers’ group likewise appealed to the government to increase the prevailing cap of 4,000 to 10,000 daily on international arrivals for inbound passengers carried by all international airlines into the country.
“ACAP also shared the view that fully vaccinated inbound travelers from ‘Green List’ countries should no longer form part of, and be excluded from the daily cap on international arrivals, considering that these travelers are no longer undergoing facility-based quarantine upon their arrival,” the organization said.
The local airlines also called for a reduction of quarantine days for fully vaccinated passengers from “yellow list” countries, from the current five days to just 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,” ACAP said.
“Further, 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,” it added.
The group, meanwhile, reassured the government that its multi-layered approaches to safety are in place, and that it will continue to espouse its responsibilities as a prime partner to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
“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. — VBL, GMA News
Local airlines call for travel policy adjustments as holiday season nears
Source: News Panda Philippines
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