International flights carrying Filipino repatriates can soon land in the Philippines beginning May 11.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) announced that the flights will only be allowed to land two days in a week: Mondays and Thursdays.
CAAP’s recently issued Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) stated that chartered flights planning to land in the country must first secure clearances from the Department of Foreign Affairs and CAAP for slotting purposes.
As for other scheduled commercial flights, the CAAP advisory stated that they can land in the Philippines on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays – but they need to get approval from CAAP at least 48 hours prior to their departure from the airport of origin so that authorities can provide necessary slotting as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport only has a maximum capacity of 400 passengers per day.
These rules and restrictions will be in place from May 11 to June 10 and is applicable for NAIA only, while other international airports in the Philippines will be implementing their own restrictions. This is a welcome development especially for Filipinos who wish to return back home, following a week of flight suspensions due to issues on lack of space at quarantine facilities – as all returning Filipinos are expected to undergo a 14-day quarantine at a facility assigned by the Philippine government.
CAAP stressed that both foreign tourists and non-residents will still be restricted from entry, until further notice.
