Cebu Pacific rolls out 'contactless flights' amid COVID-19

Aviation Updates Philippines – The Philippines' leading budget airline, Cebu Pacific Air, introduced a new system inspired by the "new normal" operations as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to weave concern to international air travelers. 

CONTACTLESS FLIGHTS. Cebu Pacific will enforce additional health measures to assure the safety of everyJuan on-board. Photo from Smile Magazine, Cebu Pacific Air.

Cebu Pacific Air Vice President for Marketing and Customer Experience Candice Iyog emphasized the airline will employ timely health measures, such as the mandatory wearing of face masks, to reassure the safety of their passengers. 

"Even if we temporarily paused our operations due to COVID-19, our teams have been working round-the-clock, so future flights are contactless and have your health and well-being in mind," Iyog told Cebu Pacific customers in an e-mail.

Upon arrival at the airport, all passengers and staff are required to wear face masks and to strictly observe physical distancing. In collaboration with airport authorities, there will be physical distancing markers placed in queue areas with airport personnel ensuring the utmost adherence to these health measures.

Furthermore, Cebu Pacific highly encourages its guests to opt for its online check-in system to limit unnecessary contact with other passengers and airport personnel. For passengers without bags to check-in, they may immediately proceed to the gate and wait for boarding.

Before every flight, the airline will also conduct rapid testing for the assigned crew. These personnel will also be provided with personal protective equipment (PPE) inclusive of suits, face shields, face masks, and so forth. Cebu Pacific added: "They are also trained to assist and isolate guests onboard, as needed."

As part of Cebu Pacific's commitment to safety, all frequently used items and specific passenger areas will be sterilized. Kiosks, bag drop counters, shuttle buses, and aircraft lavatories and seats are among those that will be disinfected from time to time. Also, the airline's aircraft will be disinfected following guidelines from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

"Our teams will continue to work with government authorities and use guidelines from the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization. We will keep refining our procedures, so you can travel with peace of mind," Iyog said.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) earlier mandated all entities in the aviation sector that the wearing of face masks, may it be cloth, do-it-your-self, or surgical, is mandatory at all airports. Besides, both agencies will also put up rapid testing and disinfection facilities to curb the spread of the virus.