By Ariel Fernandez
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) is preparing for the possible resumption of flights in light of the serious setbacks suffered by the aviation industry during the national health emergency.
This general view shows terminal one without any passengers or traffic from lack of flights due to the COVID-19 coronavirus at the international airport in Manila on May 28, 2020. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)
Speaking at a televised public address Thursday night, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade said:
"While the mandate of the DOTr is to provide transportation, mobility and convenience, it is now also vested with the responsibility to help in preventing the spread of the coronavirus...Our approach will be partial, gradual, calculated, and by phases."
He also said that the three new airports gateways should each be equipped with testing laboratories for arriving passengers.
Commercial domestic flights will be allowed between areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and even expanding operations in international aviation gateways to include Clark and Davao.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said they are maintaining facilities and equipment by warming these up and assessing efficiency in preparation for full operations.
MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal said that all four NAIA terminals are sanitized including gangchairs, electronic gadgets, counters, tables as the comfort rooms are sanitized every two hours to protect airport users and employees from bacteria and some kind of viruses.
“We could say that we are ready for the re-opening of domestic and international flights for the new normal as we observed the social distancing and sanitizers are everywhere including footbath.
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said that Philippine Airlines (PAL) is closely coordinating with local and national government authorities on the necessary implementing rules and arrangements to finalize routes and flight schedules upon resumption of operations.
As soon as these are finalized, we intend to start with limited international and domestic flights on selected routes and we shall inform the public of the flights and routes we shall operate, Villaluna added.
This general view shows terminal one without any passengers or traffic from lack of flights due to the COVID-19 coronavirus at the international airport in Manila on May 28, 2020. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP / MANILA BULLETIN)
Speaking at a televised public address Thursday night, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade said:
"While the mandate of the DOTr is to provide transportation, mobility and convenience, it is now also vested with the responsibility to help in preventing the spread of the coronavirus...Our approach will be partial, gradual, calculated, and by phases."
He also said that the three new airports gateways should each be equipped with testing laboratories for arriving passengers.
Commercial domestic flights will be allowed between areas under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and even expanding operations in international aviation gateways to include Clark and Davao.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said they are maintaining facilities and equipment by warming these up and assessing efficiency in preparation for full operations.
MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal said that all four NAIA terminals are sanitized including gangchairs, electronic gadgets, counters, tables as the comfort rooms are sanitized every two hours to protect airport users and employees from bacteria and some kind of viruses.
“We could say that we are ready for the re-opening of domestic and international flights for the new normal as we observed the social distancing and sanitizers are everywhere including footbath.
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said that Philippine Airlines (PAL) is closely coordinating with local and national government authorities on the necessary implementing rules and arrangements to finalize routes and flight schedules upon resumption of operations.
As soon as these are finalized, we intend to start with limited international and domestic flights on selected routes and we shall inform the public of the flights and routes we shall operate, Villaluna added.