MANILA – Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is diverting flights from the Arabian Peninsula from January 14 to 16 to Clark due to “quarantine testing capacity limitations" at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
In an advisory posted on its Facebook page, PAL said the affected flights are from Riyadh, Dammam, Doha and Dubai.
Rerouting the arriving flights to the Clark International Airport is necessary to avoid a full cancellation of these flights, the carrier said.
Passengers will still have to take the required Covid-19 testing in Clark and undergo quarantine in a hotel accredited by health and tourism authorities. The Covid-19 test result normally takes 48 hours to be released.
Overseas Filipino workers' (OFW) transportation will be handled by the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, while non-OFWs and foreigners may avail of the free shuttle bus to be scheduled by PAL to NAIA Terminal 2.
PAL noted that the cost of hotel accommodation and the Covid-19 tests are shouldered by non-OFWs. The government, on the other hand, shoulders the cost of these tests for the OFWs.
Currently, a daily average of 2,500 arriving passengers of international flights is allowed at the NAIA due to Covid-19 testing capacity limitations. (PNA)
