Filipino carriers restrict Manila capacity due to lockdown

Philippine Airlines (PR, Manila Ninoy Aquino Int’l), Cebu Pacific Air (5J, Manila Ninoy Aquino Int’l), and Philippines AirAsia (Z2, Manila Ninoy Aquino Int’l) have restricted their capacity on routes to Manila Ninoy Aquino Int’l due to a recently reimposed COVID-related lockdown in the Filipino capital and its suburbs.

“For the heightened General Community Quarantine and Enhanced Community Quarantine periods until August 20, domestic travel to and from Manila will be limited only to essential travellers, including National Capital Region Plus residents returning to Manila, in compliance with the air travel restrictions imposed by the authorities,” the flag carrier said.

Philippine Airlines underlined that international travel to and from Manila would continue, albeit passengers would be subject to restrictive rules governing entering the country.

The two low-cost carriers adopted a similar policy through August 20. The AirAsia Group unit additionally said it would suspend all inbound travel to Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro Laguindingan between August 1 and August 7, in line with the local lockdowns imposed in those destinations. However, the airline will continue operating flights from both cities to Manila for eligible, essential travellers returning to the capital.