The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has been affecting the economy, particularly the airline industry, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) bared.
“The impact on the airline industry and to the overall economy of the Philippines is becoming more intense. The airlines are being hit in terms of low traffic,” CAB Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla said.
The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) said half a million passengers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) were cut off since the spread of COVID-19
Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has also deferred the collection of fees for landing, take-off, and parking amid the COVID-19 impact to the economy.
“Ito po ay inisyatibo ng ating secretary – Sec. Tugade, – na tayo ay maging proactive (This is by the initiative of our Secretary Tugade that we be proactive). Tulungan natin (Let’s help). At the end of the day, they are our partners,” MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal said.
The deferment of fees will continue until the COVID-19 problem subsides.
Monreal has also encouraged travelers to support domestic flights, as the MIAA guaranteed it is clean and safe to travel from NAIA despite the local transmission of COVID-19 in the county. – Report from Cleizl Pardilla
