DOT lauds lifting of ban on Boracay charter flights

MANILA, Philippines — The lifting of the moratorium on all new and additional charter flights bound for Boracay by the Civil Aeronautic Board (CAB) is seen to further spur tourism growth, the Department of Tourism (DOT) said.

“We share our stakeholders’ goal of ensuring a thriving and vibrant tourism industry in Boracay and the lifting of the moratorium on all new and additional charter flights to Kalibo and Caticlan will facilitate this,” Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said.

Earlier this week, CAB released the new guidelines on the conduct of commercial air transportation serving Boracay Island.

Under the guidelines, CAB said carriers with scheduled flights for the rest of the summer season may continue to operate, however, they will not be allowed to mount additional flights.

CAB said carriers that want to mount new flights need to follow a 30-day application notice prior to the actual date of charter operations.

Other guidelines include the barring of the entry of aircraft exceeding the 200-seat capacity.

“And with these guidelines in place, we are assured that the carrying capacity is strictly enforced by the authorities,” Romulo-Puyat said.

The CAB earlier implemented a moratorium on charter flights to Caticlan and Kalibo in a bid to ensure the sustainability of the Boracay island.

At present, Boracay has a carrying capacity of 55,757 people per day, including its residents. Only 19,215 tourists are allowed to be on the island at a certain time, with 6,405 tourists allowed to enter the island per day.