The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has lifted the aircraft seat capacity limit on flights going to Kalibo and Caticlan in Aklan—the usual routes taken to get to the prime tourist destination of Boracay.
In a resolution dated February 28, the CAB resolved to “lift the limitation on the use of aircraft with more than 200-seat capacity on flights to Kalibo and Caticlan.”
The resolution was adopted after budget carrier Cebu Pacific filed a request on February 21 to remove the 200-seat cap, which took effect on July 15, 2019 following the rehabilitation of Boracay “in an effort to rationalize visitor numbers to the island and maintain its carrying capacity.”
Cebu Pacific had requested the removal of the flight seat limitation to further revitalize tourism and recover from the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the Holy Week break, Boracay’s carrying capacity was breached, with the Department of Tourism (DOT) urging concerned agencies to appropriate measures to prevent such incidents from occurring again.
Based on a study conducted by the University of the Philippines and commissioned by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the island’s carrying capacity is 19,215 tourists at a given time.
The island recorded 21,252 tourists on April 14 (Maundy Thursday) and 22,519 tourists on April 15 (Good Friday), surpassing the recommended daily threshold.
Local officials have reportedly appealed for the island’s carrying capacity to be increased, but the DOT said it has to consult the experts first. —VBL, GMA News
CAB lifts capacity limit on flights to Boracay
Source: News Panda Philippines
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