PAL ready to repatriate OFWs from Libya

MANILA, Philippines—Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Monday said it was ready—and just waiting for government approval—to mount repatriation flights to rescue overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from Libya.

In a statement, PAL said that as early as February 22—or even before the mass evacuation of OFWs from Libya began in earnest—the flag carrier was ready to mount repatriation flights using its wide body aircraft.

“PAL, therefore, takes exception to statements made by Albay Gov. Joey Salceda that PAL is ‘insensitive’ to the plight of OFWs stranded in North Africa,” the company said.

The flag carrier said it was simply waiting for the green light from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Labor and Employment as to where and when the rescue flights should be mounted. “PAL is still waiting for that go signal,” the airline said.

“We wish to assure Governor Salceda that PAL—as the nation’s flag carrier—takes its responsibility seriously. We value our role as the government’s partner in times of crises. PAL has spent considerable manhours and resources in preparing aircraft, pilots and crew and securing necessary overfly and landing permits from the target pickup points identified by the DFA. It is grossly unfair to be labeled ‘insentive,’” the airline stressed.

The plan was for PAL to fly to Heraklion Airport in Crete to pick up Filipinos who were ferried there by ship from Libya.

“PAL has even secured the services of a ground handler so that its plane could be properly serviced and refueled when it reaches Heraklion,” the airline pointed out.

Many times in its 70-year history, the national flag carrier—with its wide international route network—has embarked on emergency missions to evacuate OFWs in conflict-stricken territories.