The Bureau of Immigration (BI) said travel restrictions remain as Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) reopens for flights going back to Manila starting May 11.
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said in a notice to airmen (NOTAM) on Saturday, May 9 said the NAIA would resume operations for inbound flights.
This is after a week-long suspension on international flights, which started on May 3, Sunday, to prevent the spread of pandemic coronavirus in the Philippines.
According to Immigration spokesperson Dana Sandoval, only the following are eligible to enter the Philippines:
- Filipinos
- Filipinos’ foreign spouse and children
- Accredited foreign government officials
- International organization officials
- Foreign airline crew
Sandoval, on the other hand, added that only foreign nationals, permanent residents, and student visa holders abroad and overseas Filipino workers would be allowed to exit the Philippines.
Also read: US repatriates 600 American citizens in PH amid pandemic
Flight schedule flights going back to Manila
International commercial flights may land at NAIA on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the NOTAM said.
Airlines also should secure approval from CAAP 48 hours before their scheduled departure from their airport of origin.
This allows NAIA to give slots and reschedule flights to maintain the 400 passengers per day capacity limit as a precaution against the spread of COVID-19.
The schedule of inbound chartered flights on the NAIA is on Mondays and Thursdays only. They are also required to secure approval from the CAAP to service slotting and from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The travel restrictions for the inbound flights will be implemented from May 11 to June 12. Authorities clarified the limits are only applied to NAIA. Other international airports in the country are to set their own restrictions.
The NOTAM does not address protocols for en route flights with emergencies, ferry or cargo flights, air ambulance, and medical supply flights, government or military flights, maintenance flights, and weather mitigation flights. These remain unrestricted, the CAAP said.
The ECQ for NCR and other provinces is supposed to end on May 15. The government, however, said some cities in Metro Manila would remain under ECQ.
As of Sunday (May 10), the Philippines recorded a total of 10,794 COVID-19, including 1,924 recoveries and 719 deaths.