PAL, CebuPac reduce flights to Bangkok

MANILA, Philippines - Rivals national flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) and budget airline Cebu Air Inc. (Cebu Pacific) have reduced flights to Bangkok amid the growing political tension sparked by anti-government protests in the capital city of Thailand.

Cebu Pacific said it has temporarily reduced flights to and from Bangkok as the low cost carrier continues to monitor developments in Bangkok.

“Cebu Pacific’s flights to and from Bangkok, Thailand continue to operate as scheduled, as the Suvarnabhumi Airport remains operational at this time. We are closely monitoring developments and will provide flight updates as needed,” the airline said.

The budget airline reduced its weekly flight frequency between Bangkok and Manila to nine from the current 12.

The airline said it has suspended flights between Manila and Bangkok from Feb. 8 to Feb 22 and from March 2 to March 14 as well as flights between Bangkok and Manila from Feb. 9 to Feb. 23 and from March 3 to March 15.

“Guests on these flights will be re-accommodated in the next available flights, or they may avail of other options,” it added.

PAL, jointly owned by taipan Lucio Tan and diversified conglomerate San Miguel Corp. (SMC), also reduced its weekly flight frequencies to Bangkok to 11 from the current 14.

“We are now operating 80 percent of our normal flight frequency per week,” a PAL official said.

Bangkok is a high-density market for both PAL and Cebu Pacific.

Both PAL and Cebu Pacific agreed to waive the rebooking fee within 30 days from original departure date; reroute to the nearest alternate airport; and request for a full travel fund or full refund.

Protests aimed at toppling the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra continued to mount after Thailand’s tense national elections the other day.

Violence erupted three months ago when the prime minister’s ruling Pheu Thai party sought to grant amnesty to former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra who was ousted and now in self-imposed exile in Dubai in a 2006 military coup.