MANILA - Philippine Airlines said Friday it could take 6 to 8 months before air travel could return to normal and the industry's recovery would be a "slow and sure climb."

The airline does not expect to resume full capacity of 300 daily flightswhen operations resume mid-May, said PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna. Social distancing protocols will cut passenger count, she said.

"As the months unfold there will be a gradual return to the normal, it would be a slow and sure climb. That is a reality that we have to contend with. Not only in the Philippines but the global aviation arena," she added.

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New normal protocols will be imposed once the lockdown is lifted on May 15. Passengers will have to allot at least 4 hours before international flights to give way to additional health checks.

Carry-on baggage will be reduced to 2kg from 7kg to lessen contact, she said, adding that the reduced weight allocation would be added to check-in baggage.

Airlines in the Philippines suspended flights since mid-March due to lockdown measures here and abroad to contain the spread of COVID-19.

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