PAL to continue scheduled flights to Mindanao amid martial law

Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Thursday said it will strive to maintain normal operations to and from Mindanao during the duration of martial law, which President Rodrigo Duterte said will last for at least 60 days.
(Photo: Philippine Airlines/ Facebook)

MANILA—Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Thursday said it will strive to maintain normal operations to and from Mindanao during the duration of martial law, which President Rodrigo Duterte said will last for at least 60 days.

It may be recalled that a clash happened between the military forces and members of the Maute group Tuesday afternoon. The incident led the President later that day to declare martial law in Mindanao.

On Wednesday afternoon, PAL advised its passengers with confirmed bookings to the region from May 24 to July 30 to rebook/reroute/refund their tickets during the period, and also said it will rebook the tickets without penalty within 90 days from the original flight schdule or within the ticket validity period.

The advisory was made despite the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines’ (CAAP) assurance that all airports in the region are open for normal operations, and that security protocols in all of the country’s airports are in place.

At around 5:30 p.m. Thursday, the flag carrier said it will operate all the scheduled flights unless a prevailing situation requires cancellation or delay.

In those cases, PAL said it will issue an advisory to the public.

Meanwhile, despite the new announcement, PAL said it will cancel the Manila-Davao flight (PR 2825) scheduled Thursday, May 25 at 9 p.m., as well as the Davao-Manila flight (PR 2808) scheduled Friday, May 26 at 4:25 a.m.

The airline said affected passengers of PR 2825 will be accommodated on flight PR 809 which will leave Friday at 4 a.m.

Likewise, affected passengers of flight PR 2808 will be accommodated on flight PR 810 that will leave Davao Friday at 7:10 a.m.