The Philippine government has committed to supporting the bleeding local airline industry. While they have already waived airport landing and parking fees for the remainder of the year, there is more to be done. One thing our local airlines have been requesting is for the government to come up with more consistent travel requirements. Now that more people have been inoculated against covid-19, airlines are requesting the government to ease travel restrictions for vaccinated passengers.
Still, a far way to go to help the airlines
The airline industry plays a huge role in driving the economy, particularly in the travel and tourism sector. The travel and tourism industry has been greatly affected by the lockdowns. While we do understand that safety is a top concern, we feel overdoing it may even lead to a long-term worse situation. People do have to make a living. They have to earn to pay for essential products like food, medicine, water, shelter, clothing, and education. The travel and tourism industry in the Philippines is home to more than 500,000 people, including those who work in the aviation industry.
Leisure travel has already been allowed however, it seems like the national government has not created specific ways to implement this while taking to account safety. After easing quarantine rules, they just leave it up to the local government units to come up with their travel requirements. There are no consistent protocols, even for vaccinated individuals.
Ease travel restrictions for vaccinated individuals
The airlines are now begging for help from the Philippine government to revive the travel and tourism industry. Yes, the term is “beg”. One proposal airlines have is to ease travel requirements and restrictions for vaccinated individuals. Up to now, every LGU has its own set of travel requirements and this is what’s shoving people away from traveling.
While these people do want to travel, the tedious requirements have made potential travelers change their minds. This is why airlines are hoping that the government will ease travel restrictions for vaccinated individuals, on top of having a more consistent set of travel requirements across all LGUs.
This would encourage safer travels which will help fuel the regrowth of the travel and tourism industry. This would also help airlines recover faster which is home to more than 40,000 employees.
We do understand the government’s position of restricting inbound international passengers but on the other hand, we do hope they ease restrictions for domestic travel, particularly for people who have been vaccinated against covid-19.
More than 90% of airline flight and ground crew across the country have already been vaccinated to ensure the safety of passengers.
