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.
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.
ANC, ANC Top, ANC Exclusives, Philippine Airlines, PAL, aviation, travel, COVID-19, coronavirus, COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 update, new normal