(PNA file photo by Avito Dalan)
MANILA – Budget carrier Cebu Pacific has canceled flights between Manila and Japan from Thursday until April 18, in compliance with the allowed inbound international passengers limit at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) set at 1,500 for the said period.
Flights between Manila and Narita, and Nagoya are canceled, CEB announced on Wednesday.
"What would be left are (flights to/from) Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Seoul (Incheon)," CEB spokesperson Michelle Lim told the Philippine News Agency.
Based on the Manila International Airport Authority's (MIAA) record, CEB has scheduled flights between Manila and Narita (Tokyo) and Dubai on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, affected passengers are advised to rebook their tickets for travel within 90 days, or store the ticket value in a virtual wallet valid for two years.
They may also opt for a refund, but the process may take up to seven months due to the volume of requests.
The Civil Aeronautics Board earlier issued a directive to limit the number of inbound international passengers at NAIA to 1,500 daily from March 18 to April 18. MIAA has been allowing up to 3,000 inbound international passengers daily at NAIA.
In a related development, Philippine Airlines (PAL) said it will announce any flight cancellations during the period once details are confirmed.
The flag carrier also announced that affected passengers may rebook their flights on the same cabin class with rebooking fees waived; refund the ticket cost; or convert their tickets to a travel voucher.
Another budget carrier, AirAsia Philippines currently does not offer commercial international flights.
AirAsia Philippines spokesperson Steve Dailisan said the carrier continues to partner with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration and the Department of Foreign Affairs for repatriation efforts for Filipinos stranded abroad. (PNA)
