CAB: Downward trends in bookings, higher trends in passenger no shows

MANILA, Philippines — Airlines in the country have experienced downward trends in bookings, as well as higher percentages in passenger no-shows following the temporary travel ban enforced to contain the spread of COVID-19, the new coronavirus, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said Wednesday.

“We have been communicating, coordinating with our airlines and foreign airlines operating in the Philippines, and they are saying that they have been experiencing a downward trend into bookings and the higher percentage of no shows and people asking for a refund,” CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla said during the House transportation committee hearing.

According to Atty. Paterno Mantaring of Cebu Pacific,  because of the travel ban, their airline may issue potential refunds of P30 million to P40 million to people until the end of March.

The CAB executive also reported that airlines have experienced a “very steep” decline in the number of flights covered by the travel ban

In the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, for instance, its representative Ma. Christina Matondo said only 14 flights have remained per week, compared to the 40 to 50 flights.

In the Clark International Airport, meanwhile, the usual number of 782 weekly flights recorded drastically went down to only 731. The passenger count in the airport also went down by 29 percent, according to the airport’s representative Kathleen Dizon.

Earlier, the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) reported that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) experienced a drop in both international and domestic passenger volume.

The temporary travel ban was ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte to contain the spread of the virus. The travel ban covers China and its special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau.

The travel ban was later expanded to Taiwan but was later lifted after Taiwan had threatened to impose retaliatory measures.

Edited by MUF