AirAsia mounted more than 100 special recovery flights since March

Philippines AirAsia has mounted of total of 123 special recovery flights to fly stranded Filipinos to the country and their home provinces as a result of the declaration of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) over Luzon.

These domestic and international special flights were arranged by various government agencies, organizations, local government units, and embassies.

Some international recovery flights include Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Osaka, Phom Penh, and Semarang Indonesia. 

Flight suspension due to ECQ

The declaration of an ECQ in March covering Luzon has resulted to the suspension of domestic flights due as part of the guidelines of the lockdown. Many Filipinos and foreign nationals were stranded in Metro Manila and in different parts of the region as flights were unavailable. Local carriers in the Philippines were forced to suspend commercial passenger flights.

Different organizations then chartered airlines to mount recovery flights in order to provide airlift to all these stranded passengers.

Restarting commercial flights

While AirAsia will be resuming passenger flights on June 3, the airline said in a statement that more recovery flights are being arranged as required. However, the airline said that schedules are subject to change given the present situation.

"Given the nature of the ever-changing situation at this time, flight schedules may change at short notice depending on, among others, regulations that have to be met in managing the public health situation."

Starting June 3, Philippines AirAsia will start flying to selected domestic destinations namely Cebu, Davao, Tacloban, Cagayan de Oro, Bacolod and Tagbilaran.