CAAP: International flights suspended for one week
Aviation Updates Philippines – Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) Spokesperson Eric Apolonio said the agency issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting all passenger and commercial international flights at all international airports in the country.
According to Apolonio, the suspension of operations will take effect for one week starting May 3, 2020, at 8:00 am. The latest NOTAM from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) estimates the lifting of the suspension on May 11, 2020, at midnight. The latest press release, however, suggests the suspension will only last until May 9, 2020.
"Cargo flights, sweeper flights, medical flights, utility flights, and maintenance flights are exempted in the suspension and will remain unhampered," Apolonio said.
However, airlines who wish to operate an international flight may request an exemption from the CAAP Operations Center (OpCen) at least 36 hours before the scheduled departure time.
On the suspension of international arrivals, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) "... accedes to the decision of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 to temporarily suspend the use of all international airports in the country effective 0800 of 03 May 2020 for international inbound passenger flights, except [en-route] emergencies."
The Philippines has been receiving and organizing repatriation flights for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) since the start of the ECQ over the island of Luzon. This suspension will allow the current system to "ramp up its capacity" in response to the growing number of Filipino repatriates.
"The move is deemed necessary in order to ensure that our country will not experience [the] second wave of Covid-19 pandemic due to the increasing number of international passenger arrivals. It should be noted that most of our repatriated citizens are coming from countries which experienced significant Covid-19 outbreak," the DOTr added.
As of the moment, the major international airports in the Philippines in Manila, Cebu, and Davao, are under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). This means no flights currently operate there, except for international arrivals in Manila.
Q) RPHI/QFALT/IV/NBO/A /000/999/1431N12101E005
A) RPLL B) 2005030150 C) 2005101600 EST
E) COVID-19: FLT RESTRICTION
ALL FLT OPS TEMPO RESTRICTED, EXC THE FLW:
1. ENR FLT EXPERIENCING EMERG
2. CARGO FLT
3. AIR AMBULANCE AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES
4. GOVERMENT/MIL FLT
5. WX MITIGATION FLT
6. MAINT AND UTILITY FLT
RMK: INTL FLT WISHING TO LAND/DEP MUST REQ EXEMPTION
WITH CAAP (OPCEN) AT LEAST 36 HR BFR SKED
DEP FM THEIR AD OF ORIGIN.
TO CTC OPCEN: (+632)7-944-2030 TO 31.
CREATED: 03 May 2020 01:51:00
SOURCE: EUECYIYN
 |
| INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS BANNED. The National Task Force Against COVID-19 recommended the temporary suspension of international arrivals at all Philippine airports for one week due to the overwhelming number of repatriates arriving in the country. Photo from JC Pascual, AUP Contributor |
"Cargo flights, sweeper flights, medical flights, utility flights, and maintenance flights are exempted in the suspension and will remain unhampered," Apolonio said.
However, airlines who wish to operate an international flight may request an exemption from the CAAP Operations Center (OpCen) at least 36 hours before the scheduled departure time.
On the suspension of international arrivals, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) "... accedes to the decision of the National Task Force Against COVID-19 to temporarily suspend the use of all international airports in the country effective 0800 of 03 May 2020 for international inbound passenger flights, except [en-route] emergencies."
The Philippines has been receiving and organizing repatriation flights for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) since the start of the ECQ over the island of Luzon. This suspension will allow the current system to "ramp up its capacity" in response to the growing number of Filipino repatriates.
"The move is deemed necessary in order to ensure that our country will not experience [the] second wave of Covid-19 pandemic due to the increasing number of international passenger arrivals. It should be noted that most of our repatriated citizens are coming from countries which experienced significant Covid-19 outbreak," the DOTr added.
As of the moment, the major international airports in the Philippines in Manila, Cebu, and Davao, are under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). This means no flights currently operate there, except for international arrivals in Manila.
NOTICE TO AIRMEN
B1013/20 NOTAMR B0994/20Q) RPHI/QFALT/IV/NBO/A /000/999/1431N12101E005
A) RPLL B) 2005030150 C) 2005101600 EST
E) COVID-19: FLT RESTRICTION
ALL FLT OPS TEMPO RESTRICTED, EXC THE FLW:
1. ENR FLT EXPERIENCING EMERG
2. CARGO FLT
3. AIR AMBULANCE AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES
4. GOVERMENT/MIL FLT
5. WX MITIGATION FLT
6. MAINT AND UTILITY FLT
RMK: INTL FLT WISHING TO LAND/DEP MUST REQ EXEMPTION
WITH CAAP (OPCEN) AT LEAST 36 HR BFR SKED
DEP FM THEIR AD OF ORIGIN.
TO CTC OPCEN: (+632)7-944-2030 TO 31.
CREATED: 03 May 2020 01:51:00
SOURCE: EUECYIYN
No comments
The comments made below are the views of the commenter only. We reserve the right to remove comments that are offensive, harmful, or do not follow our community guidelines.