PAL repatriates 345 stranded Filipino seafarers from Barbados to Clark Airport

Philippine Airlines has marked another milestone in its history by completing a repatriation flight from Barbados to Clark. A total of 345 stranded Filipino Seafarers from the Royal Caribbean Cruise line were flown from Bridgetown in Barbados to Clark International Airport. The flight made a technical stop in Vancouver before proceeding to the Philippines.

Photo credits: Cielo Villaluna

PAL SVP Chief Strategy and Planning Officer Commercial Dexter Lee said, "This is PAL's third repatriation mission to and from Barbados, but the first to make a historic landing in Clark. Each journey is a homecoming for our country's modern day heroes. It is a privilege to bring our countrymen home.

"PAL's working collaboration with Clark authorities and the InterAgency Task Force on Covid19 (IATF) has enabled the flag carrier to be the first airline to use Clark International Airport for repatriation missions," he added.

PAL flight PR8102 departed Manila on June 4 utilizing a Boeing 777-300ER jet. Before heading for the Caribbean island to fetch the Filipinos, the flight made a stopover at Los Angeles.

Photo credits: Cielo Villaluna

Milestones for both PAL and Clark

On a positive light, PAL's repatriation flights have also brought it milestones and historical events. This repatriation flight marked another milestone not only for PAL but for Clark airport as well. Not only is this PAL's first flight from Barbados to Clark, but it is also the airport's first time to accept a flight from Barbados.

Other milestones include its own record breaking longest non-stop flight from Manila directly to Miami, Florida utilizing a Boeing 777-300ER, a flying distance beyond the aircraft's average range.

This is also PAL's third repatriation mission from Barbados.