PH Lifts Travel Restrictions

Foreigners Must Be Fully Vaxed!

30 January 2022

The Philippine government announced that it will lift travel restriction to the country beginning 1 February 2022, for visa-free travelers, and 16 February 2022, for all types of travelers,  after it reaches a target of vaccinating 90 million Filipinos by end of January this year.

Starting February 1, fully vaccinated inbound travelers will instead be required to present a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin, irrespective of color classification, and a verifiable vaccination card, Cabinet Secretary and acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles said in a press briefing Sunday.

According to Nograles, the President approved the recommendation of the National Task Force for Emerging and Infectious Diseases (IATF), Task Force on COVID-19 New Variants and sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics, on  lifting of international travel restrictions, as the country attains wall immunity having vaccinated 75% of its population of 120 million by 31st January.

“Upon arrival, they shall no longer be required to observe mandatory facility-based quarantine,” he said.

Nograles added that for those unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated will be required to undergo facility-based quarantine until the release of their negative RT-PCR test taken on the fifth day, in addition to a negative RT-PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure from the country of origin.

Also, children below 12 years old who cannot be vaccinated shall follow the quarantine protocols of parents or the accompanying guardian traveling with them.

Meaning, they will have to undergo facility-based quarantine for 5 days when they bring with them unvaccinated children, regardless of age.

“The unvaccinated, partially vaccinated individuals refers to returning Filipinos only,” says Nograles. 

“Foreign nationals will require presentation of full vaccination records at the airport of departure and negative RT-PCR test before they are permitted to fly the plane to Manila,” adds Nograles.

Tel Aviv, Finally!

 24 January 2022

After months of waiting, Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) will finally commence flight to Israel, flying twice weekly to Ben Gurion Airport beginning April this year, using Airbus A350-900 this time. PAL President and COO Gilbert Santa Maria said Manila-Tel Aviv-Manila flights has been worked out since 2019 but couldn't get clearance to fly since its launch date was postponed twice due to covid19 pandemic. (see earlier story here.) Israel is the third largest tourism market of the Philippines in the Middle East registering 71,500 passengers in 2019 following United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

Airport Expenditures for 2022

Airport Construction and Development Projects for 2022

15 January 2022


 

AIRPORT IMPROVEMENT AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT
2022
ITEMAIRPORTALLOCATIONREMARKS
1BUKIDNON1 Billionnew airport
2CATBALOGAN950 Millionairside
3ORMOC415 Millionairside
4MARINDUQUE300 Millionairside
5CANDON, ILOCOS270 Millionnew airport
6TANDAG264.48 Millionlandside
7BICOL INT.100 Millionairside
8SIQUIJOR100 Millionairside
9IPIL70 Millionairside
10ITBAYAT54 Millionairside
11GENSAN50 Millionlandside
12DUMAGUETE50 Millionlandside
13LOAKAN, BAGUIO50 Millionlandside
14MLANG50 Millionlandside
15LAOAG30 Millionlandside
16CAUAYAN30 Millionlandside
17CATANDUANES30 Millionlandside
18BUSUANGA30 Millionlandside
19OZAMIZ30 Millionlandside
20OTHERS1 Millionairside
TOTAL
3,874, 980 Billion Pesos


Gov't Mandates No Vaccine No Travel Policy


14 January 2022

The Transport Department (DOTr) issued a mandate to allow public transportation access only to fully vaccinated individuals beginning 17 January.

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade issued Department Order No. 2022-001 dated January 11, 2022, requiring all common carriers, including airlines, to transport vaccinated passengers only. 

DOTr said vaccination status can be proven by either physical or digital copies of local government unit-issued vaccine card, Department of Health-issued vaccine certification, or any Inter-Agency Task Force-prescribed document with valid government-issued ID with picture and address.

In a statement, the local carriers said they support the mandate of DOTr in order to save lives of both the vaccinated and unvaccinated passengers.

“We laud the DOTr’s initiative to help the Filipino public embark on essential travels during the current crisis,” PAL president and chief operating officer Gilbert Santa Maria said in a statement.

“We assure the public that PAL will do our part to uphold the strictest safety standards and health protocols in our continuing operation of our domestic and international flight network,” Santa Maria added.

PAL international and domestic operations has been hit badly by covid19 infections affecting airport, ground and air crews alike, prompting them to suspend some routes due to operational deficiencies. 

Meanwhile, AirAsia Philippines said that No vaccine, No travel policy of the government is “an effective tool to encourage every Filipino to take the shot, and get an added layer of protection against any emerging COVID-19 variant,” according to CEO Ricky Isla.

“From the onset of the pandemic, AirAsia has always been working closely with the IATF, DOTr and its attached agencies along with medical experts in the implementation of multi-layered approaches to safety in the aviation sector,” he said.

Cebu Pacific on the other hand disclosed that it will offer its passengers affected by the “No Vaccination, No Ride” flexible options as the airline complies with and supports the government’s order to limit public transportation access to vaccinated individuals. 

“Cebu Pacific will comply with the latest government order which aims to protect the majority... Cebu Pacific is committed to getting you on your way as soon as the times become safer for most of us,” said Candice Iyog, Vice President for Marketing & Customer Experience at Cebu Pacific. 

Cebu Pacific was likewise hit by escalating infections of its airport, ground and flight crews resulting to their isolation from work, thus affecting operational requirements of most of its domestic network leading to cancellation of flights.

Starting January 17, Monday, all domestic airlines, operating scheduled or non-scheduled commercial services to and from NCR, are required to only provide air transportation services to and from NCR to fully vaccinated persons, unless exempted, such as the following: 

a)    Persons with medical conditions that prevent their full COVID-19 vaccination as shown by a duly-signed medical certificate with the name and contact details of their doctor;

b)    Persons who will buy essential goods and services, such as but not limited to food, water, medicine, medical devices, public utilities, energy, work, and medical and dental necessities, as shown by a duly issued barangay health pass or other proof to justify travel

Airlines said non-vaccinated guests with essential purpose of travel from Metro Manila such as persons with medical conditions that prevent full COVID-19 vaccination will still be allowed to fly, provided that they present a duly signed medical certificate with name and contact details of their physician.

Likewise, persons who will provide essential goods and services as evidenced by a duly issued barangay health pass or other appropriate proof that will justify travel will also be accepted during the flight, according to the local airlines.

“We are one with the DOTr and the Philippine air transport sector in working to sustain vital air services throughout the country,” PAL Express president Bonifacio Sam adds.

IATF brings Back NAIA Capacity to 3K


 14 January 2022

The National Task Force on Emerging Diseases NTF-IATF) has downgraded international capacity of Manila International Airport back to 3,000 passengers a day beginning January 12 from 6,000 passengers last week.

In a latest advisory sent by Transport Department (DOTr) to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) dated January 7 and sent to government offices and Philippine diplomatic posts overseas, CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla said international passenger arrivals at NAIA will be capped at a maximum of 3,000 per day effective midnight of  January 12 due to rising incidents of Covid19 infections among passengers and airport staff.

Bureau of Quarantine reported 19 incidents of covid19 infection from arriving passengers who came from overseas yesterday.

The maximum capacity restrictions will be valid for 15 days, subject to updates by the IATF whether to extend or lift the flight restrictions.

International quarantine capacity in other international airport across the country remains unaffected.

Air Asia Philippines shown rerouting AK119 from Bangkok to Davao instead of Manila. 

Arcilla said passengers traveling to the Philippines within these dates should contact their airlines for updates and re-schedule flights to avoid inconveniences at the airport.

Philippine Airlines said that they have rerouted some of their affected flights bound for Manila to Cebu, Davao, Clark, Subic and Laoag.


Decoding United Woes In MNL

9 January 2022

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and US-based carrier American Airlines (AAL) has filed regulatory approval for Statements of Authorization, Exemptions, and an Amended Exemption to allow them to provide reciprocal code-share services between the U.S. and the Philippines. 

PAL has filed For statements of authorization under 14 C.F.R. Part 212 (reciprocal codesharing) and exemptions pursuant to 49 U.S.C. § 40109, while AAL filed for an amended exemption under 49 U.S.C. § 40109 (third-country codesharing authority).

The case is docketed with the US Department of Transport (DOT-OST-2020-0033) and filed on March 17, 2020.

Listed points are between the Philippines, Japan as intermediate, to the US mainland and vice versa, Manila to Guam and Honolulu to Mainland and vice versa,  Manila to Los Angeles to other points of the US mainland.

The Woes

Immediately after its filing, United Airlines (UAL) contested said application on March 27, 2020, praying for deferral of DOT action, citing unresolved access issue at Ninoy Aquino International airport.

UAL reiterated its earlier opposition filed in November 6, 2019 on the application of Air Philippines Corporation (GAP), also known as PAL Express for codesharing flights with PAL from Manila to Guam, after Cebu Pacific manifest intent to cease its operations in Guam. 

United stated that 'it made multiple attempts to obtain slots and aircraft parking space at Manila but has been continually denied.'

Same argument was echoed by the airline on its application to fly Seattle.

UAL did not disclosed who denied the slot application in Manila, until PAL retorted to DOT why its application was denied. 

PAL and AAL said that 'United ignores the fact that Manila slots are awarded pursuant to industry consensus standards, not favoritism. The Manila airport is classified under IATA Worldwide Slot Guidelines as a Level 3 Airport (i.e., an airport where it is necessary for all airlines and aircraft operators to have a slot allocated for each arrival and departure during specific periods). Slot allocation at the airport is performed by a private entity, Airport Coordination Australia (ACA). ACA follows the slot-allocation process specified in the Guidelines, which were created by the aviation industry. Access to terminal facilities at Manila is controlled by the Manila International Airport Authority (“MIAA”). 

Applicants PAL and American said they have 'no control or influence over the slot or terminal access and PAL has been denied requested slots and terminal access on multiple occasions. Moreover, this structure provides U.S. and Philippine airlines a fair and equal opportunity to obtain Manila slots and airport infrastructure, consistent with Article 11 of the U.S.-Philippines Air Transport Services Agreement.

United replied that it 'recognizes that Manila is an IATA Level 3 coordinated airport. However, despite the IATA Level 3 designation, the fact remains that PAL continues to grow and further deepen the disparity in the competitive landscape at Manila. United’s position is that regardless of the airport slot situation, the U.S. and Philippines governments must address the growing competitive disparity at Manila.'

US DOT has since deferred approval of the application until UA secures the landing slots the airline contends it was deprived in Manila.

Meanwhile, flights to Manila was suspended from March 19, 2020 due to covid19 pandemic, and was just reinstated on the latter part of last year, with flight restrictions imposed by the Philippine government to curve rise on covid infections brought into the country.

It now appears from the foregoing arguments that their main beef against PAL is their inability to grow Manila while PAL takes on the vacant slots available for growth to the US.

 

So is slot allocation really their bone of contention?

Apparently not. Dispute goes deeper than that. 

Based on the information available at the Philippine Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), UAL wanted to take slots awarded to other airlines, ostensibly to connect its Honolulu and Saipan flight to Manila.

A quick check from A.B. Won Pat International Airport Authority disclosed that UA201 flight from HNL usually arrives between 6:45-7:00pm, while UA183 departs to MNL at 8:00pm. It seems to suggest that most of MNL departure depends upon the arrival of HNL flight, likely waiting for connecting passengers and vice versa.

While there was no problem with their seven evening flight, it can't have the slots it wanted in the morning to its consternation as this was already awarded to other airlines also operating at Terminal 3. In its filing, it wanted to replace an airline it said was 'not a full service carrier'.

Historically, UAL predecessor Continental Micronesia (CMI) enjoyed multiple slots in the morning until they stopped flying as late as 2019. The airline flew UA191/190 GUM-MNL GUM in November 12, 2013 leaving Manila at 9:50am.   

The last time they have 14 slots allocated to them by ACA which became the airport coordinator of Manila in 2012 (see story here), UAL flew 11 flights to Guam and 2 flights to Palau.

After the merger with Continental in 2010, United flew 18 destinations out of its Guam hub operating B737 aircraft in 2014. 

Bad Blood

One of the highlights of United's assumed network in Micronesia was the "Island Hopper", where UAL operates a widebody (B77W) flight between Guam and Honolulu, flying three (3) times a week. 

This is where the controversy between PAL and UAL started. With the triple seven as the Raison d'être .

Continental Micronesia (CMI) previously flew to the Philippines with one condition. It will only transport passengers bound to Micronesia, and by exemption, Honolulu, and not those bound to mainland US and vice versa. The aircraft allowed is also limited to the narrow body.

This limitation is not arbitrary, unfair, or whimsical as it was agreed by both the United States and the Philippines in its Air Services bilateral agreements (ASA). The provision was incorporated in 1982 and reiterated in 1995.



In 2014, UAL started violating this provision for route 1 by accepting passengers from the mainland United States to the Philippines and vice versa. PAL discovered that UAL issued tickets beyond HNL. PAL protested this practice and CAB told UAL to stop transporting passengers to the mainland via Micronesia. 

United was forced to cut back frequency driven by mainland traffic in 2019 that if flew only six flights out of the fourteen while PAL operated five to Guam. This was the real traffic to Micronesia. The CAB order unfortunately also affected UAL deals with local airlines in Guam prompting it to terminate their respective agreements.

CAB did not however prohibit UAL to mount direct flights to the mainland should it desired to do so.  While it proposed to serve Manila to San Francisco route directly, It never did apply US DOT authorization to fly Manila direct up to this date. 

It used to fly via intermediate points in Osaka, Taipei and Seoul to the mainland until its eventful termination in 1998 brought about by the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. It came back to Manila in 2012 after the Continental merger. It however claims to be in the Philippines for 40 years, a claim attributed to its predecessor Continental Micronesia which first flew into the country in 1981.
 

Enter Cebu Pacific

Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific (CEB) finally entered Guam market on March 2016 after four years of waiting for their application for exemption to be approve by DOT to fly US territory. (See application here). 


CEB was allocated seven flights to Guam by CAB. The other seven was earlier granted to PAL It managed to secure however only three slots from ACA. CEB failed to secure additional slots from ACA for 3 years prompting it to leave Guam on December 17, 2019, due to inability to grow its slots at Terminal 3.

CEB stated that "With limited slots in Manila, Cebu Pacific will reallocate these slots and re-deploy the aircraft to routes where these can serve higher passenger demand."

United Airlines complaint about Terminal 3 and its slot allocations is not exclusive to them alone but equally affected Cebu Pacific, as well as other airlines operating in Manila.


A costly mistake

What changed everything for United was made in October 28, 2018 when UAL decided to move to Terminal 3 from terminal 1, which also was experiencing congestion problems.

To the management mind of UAL, Terminal 3 appears to be better as it was newer and bigger. The airline never thought that this decision to relocate could ultimately cause them to lose the morning slots, as they squabble with Cebu Pacific and Air Asia for slots, which at the time of transfer for winter 2018 schedule was already taken by both low cost carriers. UAL had the morning slots available at terminal 1 had it not relocated.

Meanwhile, United slots at Terminal 1 was quickly taken by Chinese carriers, which prevented it from relocating back when UAL realized what they just lost. The person responsible for that debacle has since been fired.

 

The dilemma

UA filed landing slots application in August with Airport Coordination Australia (ACA), the independent air traffic coordinator for Manila International Airport and was granted by ACA 16 slots for summer 2022 schedule, seven of which  were allocated between 2100 to 2200 hours, local time. It was not awarded the morning slot it desired. It got the same reason conveyed to them a year before that. No slots available.

In its regulatory filing in the Philippines, UA again hopes to fly double daily flight to Guam and two flights to Saipan, which is a US territory.

After UA secured landing slots with ACA, both UA and  PR moved to have its authorization for reciprocal code-sharing approved on December 21, 2021, arguing that UA 'has now received the number of slots at Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) that it had requested for Summer 2022 from the independent slot coordinator. Therefore, there is no longer any reasonable basis to continue deferring action on the Joint Application.'

On December 26, 2021, UA answered that it has not been able to obtain slots at the times needed to facilitate new, customer friendly, and competitive service between the U.S. and Manila. 

United added that it 'has not been given any confirmation of infrastructure support, such as the availability of aircraft parking, even if the requested slots were awarded.'

UAL also said that 'its requests for incremental slots during this same period (Jan-Dec 2020) were continuously denied.'

From the foregoing claims, it is very apparent that UAL problems is not cause by PAL but by MIAA, its airport operator, and ACA its traffic coordinator, and the Philippine government, for not building a terminal it wants and time it desired. And from all indications, UAL has not been honest about its claims with DOT.

First it complained about slots from ACA which it says it never got, but belied by ACA which awarded all 16 of them. Two more from the previous years. 

Second, It insisted on taking desired slots in the morning which it 'needed to facilitate new, customer friendly, and competitive service' but are already operated by other airline, knowing fully well that they are no longer available. UAL advocated to be a full service airline which should have priority in gate assignments than the lesser class carriers. 

Third, it insists on parking availability when none is available. UAL was notified and made aware by the airport coordinator ACA when it applied for summer 2022 slots that there would be no aircraft parking at NAIA.  (See ACA 2022 summer restrictions here) Still they complained about it.


 

Why can't United Airlines secure aircraft parking at NAIA?

Manila International Airport operates 24 hours a day. Which means that all international gate assignments at Terminal 3 are being used. UAL could also not used existing temporary apron parking areas  because all were already taken and filled.

What UAL really wanted to have is a parking area at Terminal 3 reserved for them. Which demand is so ludicrous that you cannot help but wonder why exactly at an already congested airport.

UAL further argued that 'OAG data seems to suggest that PAL held slots in the time ranges requested by United for a new arrival and departure that are not currently being used by PAL, yet United continues to be confounded in its attempts to grow competition at Manila.'

It said further that 'In the arrival time range requested by United, PAL has reduced operations from six flights to one, but United was not granted any of the five other slots. And in the departure time range requested by United, PAL has reduced available seat capacity, implying PAL is potentially using smaller aircraft to operate slots at coveted times and which could be allocated to United but have not been. (6)'


NAIA Terminal 2 
If we follow UAL argument, it seems they also like to operate at Terminal 2 or Terminal 1, which terminal assignment they forfeited earlier. Are they saying now that they should be operating at Terminal 2 too? 

If we follow that line of argument, then clearly they should be allowed to use Terminal 2 in addition to Terminal 3 as well because it has plenty of slots available at the moment. As if that is possible at all under normal set of things. 

Truth is, Manila is not UAL home airport, and they have chosen their terminal of choice at Terminal 3. They cannot now jump from one terminal to another to suit their needs because that is counter productive and logistical nightmare. They also did not ask for it, implying MIAA to just relocate the obstructing airline to another terminal so they can take over its place. Sound unfair and unreasonable isn't it?

Truly, United's argument is untenable since it cannot use Terminal 2 which is contracted exclusively to PAL. Even if PAL doesn't fly Guam, they cannot used Terminal 2, nor its assigned ramps. 

In a similar fashion that PAL cannot use Terminal 7 or Terminal 8 in Los Angeles International Airport because that was contracted to be occupied by United.  It is that simple.

And perhaps UAL is oblivious of the fact that Manila was and still is a restricted airport since March 2020, preventing all other airlines not just United operating at NAIA from mounting flights. It is simply no brainer that PAL has reduced operations from six flights to one to Guam. 

In fact, entry into the country is severely restricted just like anywhere else in this world at this time of pandemic. It still is to this day.

'United acknowledges the situation is clouded by the slot waiver granted by the Manila coordinator for the current winter 2021-2022. United does not doubt the importance of the waiver in order for airlines to review future network plans amidst an unclear future booking environment. But the lack of clarity and transparency about what is going on with current and future slots at Manila is reason enough for the Department to continue to hold actioning the American/PAL application until United’s access issues are resolved', it said.

Indeed, it accepted the slots and acknowledges the waiver it signed with ACA but doubts the clarity and transparency  of its independent judgement. Clever, but not clever enough. By accepting the slots, it already bound itself to its restrictions, in a similar fashion provided in the exceptions by the US DOT. Manila is very congested airport. There can be no doubt about that.

United alleged that it 'is ready to continue discussions with ... relevant Philippines Government authorities to find a resolution to its access challenges '(7)

It seems UAL is not really listening what the airline operators, traffic coordinators, airport operator, and the Philippine government is saying about Manila airport. Perhaps it should start listening now.  It may just find its way through.

 

P.S.

Here is the joint AA and PAL reply to United, published a month later, just like the way we described it .


CAAP Limits NAIA Capacity

Cancels Excess Flights 

8 January 2021


The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has limited departure and arrival capacity at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) effectively cancelling 104 flights after the government raised covid alert level in Metro Manila.

CAAP said the new directive will mainly affect domestic flights at Terminal 2 and 3 as NAIA reduces terminal capacity to 30% in compliance with alert level 3 directive, beginning today until January 15, 2022.

Pursuant to the terminal restrictions, Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia has cancelled some of its domestic flights affected by this restrictions.

CEB Affected flights include those from Manila to Kalibo, Legazpi, Tacloban, Boracay (Caticlan), Iloilo, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cotabato, Davao, Cebu, Bohol (Tagbiliran), Cauayan, Puerto Princesa, Iloilo, Coron (Busuanga), Dipolog, and Legazpi.  

Cebu Pacific stated that “the situation remains fluid, additional flight cancellations may take place in the coming days,” 

PAL affected flights include those to Davao, Cebu, Iloilo, Tagbilaran, Dumaguete, Tacloban, Cagayan, Butuan, Caticlan, Busuanga, Legaspi, and Cotabato.

The airline said most of the affected flights depart and arrive in the morning, making tremendous congestion at the pre-departure and arrival areas that violate safety protocol and social distancing rules.

The airline also reported that some cancellations were caused by operational requirements after most of its staff was tested positive for corona virus after the new year, requiring their quarantine to avoid infecting people. 

PAL said many of its airport employees failed to report to work due to the spiraling infection.

Restriction do not apply to international arriving passengers however as they will need to undergo mandatory quarantine restriction, as compared to domestic passengers that doesn't require one.

PAL CEO Talks About C11 Exit

And How Bayanihan flights Keep the Airline Afloat

7 January 2022

PAL president and COO Gilbert Santa Maria talks about the airline's exit from US Chapter 11 proceedings, and how the Philippine government helped them survive in their most trying and desperate times. He also talks about OFWs that kept them afloat, its cargo business that gives them liquidity, and how Pinoy's helped one another at this time. 

TK Flies CEB

6 January 2022

Turkish Airlines has commenced additional flight Monday, January 3, 2022 flying to the Philippines adding triangular service to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) arriving 6:52 a.m. Tuesday with Airbus A350-900. 

No Fifth Freedom rights is granted between Manila and Cebu. Immigration clearance is done in Manila with connecting passengers pre-cleared for onward connection to Cebu.

Turkish Airlines will fly Monday, Thursday, and Saturday for Istanbul-Manila-Cebu flights, while return flight is scheduled Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.