As expected, two of the top domestic carriers are scaling down the volume of their regular flights to Caticlan and Kalibo in Aklan, the gateways when going to Boracay. This comes after the government officially announced a six-month closure of the popular island resort beginning April 26.
Cebu Pacific Air
Cebu Pacific Air has posted a travel advisory announcing the cancellation of most flights to and from the airports of Caticlan and Kalibo from April 26 to October 27 this year. A total of 14 daily and five once-a-week flights to the two destinations from Manila, Cebu, Clark, and Incheon (South Korea) will temporarily be scrapped. To continue serving local residents, the budget carrier will continue eight daily flights (at specific schedules) from Manila and Cebu.
Cebu Pacific Air advises its affected passengers to get a full refund, put the value of their canceled tickets into a travel fund, rebook flights, or reroute to other destinations.
Philippine Airlines
For its part, Philippine Airlines said it will reduce flights to and from Caticlan and Kalibo but will expand flights to other tourist and provincial operations instead so it could continue supporting domestic tourism from April 20 to October 27.
The national carrier will continue servicing nine weekly flights with Manila to Kalibo routes and seven weekly flights to Caticlan. Flights to the two destinations from Cebu and Clark will all be suspended within the period. At the same time, PAL announced additional flight schedules from Manila to Cebu, Puerto Princesa, Bacolod, Iloilo, Dumaguete, and Cagayan de Oro. There will also be additional flights from Cebu to Siargao, Busuanga, and Clark.
The company also advises affected passengers to rebook, reroute, or refund their tickets without penalties.
