AirAsia Philippines says Metro Manila leisure travelers can begin flying with new quarantine rules

MANILA, Philippines—Budget carrier AirAsia Philippines said leisure travel to destinations such as Boracay and Bohol would be allowed starting Sept. 16 after the Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) against COVID-19 downgraded strict quarantine rules for the National Capital Region (NCR).

“We welcome the decision of the IATF to allow leisure travel outside the NCR,” AirAsia Philippines spokesman Steve Dailisan said in a statement on Wednesday.

“This will certainly help the local tourism and airline industries bounce back and allow small industries in the provinces to recover. At AirAsia, we value our shared responsibility with the government to ensure guest’s safety across all touchpoints in the customer journey,” he added.

AirAsia cited IATF Memorandum No. 136-A, which allows interzonal travel subject to the guidelines set by local government units.

AirAsia Philippines said destinations that accept leisure travellers from Metro Manila included

Caticlan (Boracay), Davao, Zamboanga, Tacloban and Tagbilaran in Bohol.

It added the reopening of flights was “timely as the majority of the tourism frontline workers in these key destinations have already been vaccinated against COVID-19.”

Guests were also urged to follow strict health and safety protocols for each destination.

Travel documents such as a negative RT-PCR (swab or saliva) test, vaccination card, confirmed hotel booking, and local tourism QR codes may also be required for verification at the check-in counters and upon arrival at the destination, the carrier said.

AirAsia Philippines said it would extend its UNLI Flight Pass’ from its original booking redemption period of Oct. 16, 2021 to Jan. 17 next year. Moreover, the travel period has been extended from Oct. 30 to Jan. 31, 2022.

“The extension of the UNLI Flight Pass will give both leisure and essential travelers the opportunity to maximize their pass benefits and save ahead for their trips,” Dailisan said.

“It also gives them the chance to regain any halted travel plans, especially during Ber months where a lot of homecomings and family vacations happen,” he added.

AirAsia Philippines noted that 100 percent of its flight crew and ground staff were already vaccinated against COVID-19.