NAIA Terminal Accepts Inbound Flights Beginning May 11
The Ninoy Aquino International Airport NAIA Terminal will be accommodating inbound international charter and commercial flights beginning Monday, May 11, 2020, with the recent lifting of the suspension by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP). The resumption of inbound international flights to the Ninoy Aquino Airport was done following the directive of the National Task Force (NTF) against COVID-19.
The CAAP released a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) dated May 8, 2020, stating that inbound international charter flights will only be allowed to land at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Mondays and Thursdays. But these flights should secure the necessary clearances from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and CAAP for slotting and rescheduling of trips to subscribe to the enforced limited capacity of NAIA.
Meanwhile, scheduled inbound international commercial flights will be allowed to land at the NAIA on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, again with the provision of securing approval from the CAAP at least 48 hours before their scheduled departure from the original airport of origin.
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In an interview, CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio disclosed that the limitation applies only to inbound commercial flights. “NAIA terminal would only accommodate 400 passengers a day. So we have to limit the inbound flights. Chartered flights (will) have no limitations, regardless of how many passengers they carry,” he said.
The restrictions, to run from May 11 to June 10, 2020, apply only to NAIA airport. Other international airports located in the country may have varying individual restrictions but upon coordination and with approval by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID).
“Every airline must seek a permit from us. We might give clearance to 10 airlines, for instance, but it would ultimately depend on Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) if they would be prioritized in slotting,” Apolonio continued.
It was reported that inbound international flights are barred from entering the Philippines for one week since May 3. And all remaining departing and arriving flights were all moved to the Ninoy Aquino Internation Airport Terminal 1 (NAIA 1 Terminal) starting March 28 to streamline operations.
Meanwhile, certain flights to and from the NAIA terminal such as emergency en route flights, air ambulance, ferry flights/cargo flights, government/military flights, medical supplies flights, maintenance flights, weather mitigation flights, and outbound ferry flights or cargo flights with passengers, as authorized, will remain unrestricted and are not covered by the NOTAM.
Further, previous restrictions on the entry of foreign tourists and non-residents will continue to be enforced until further notice.
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