MANILA, Philippines—Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade has ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines as well as other airport authorities to “seriously consider” reopening airports in areas under the general community quarantine to accommodate commercial operations. According to a press release, Tugade gave the instructions during his meeting with DOTr Air Sector on Thursday via video conference. ADVERTISEMENTTugade said that reopening airports in GCQ areas will jumpstart domestic tourism after the Philippines was gravely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. “The reopening of airports in GCQ areas to commercial aviation will gradually jump start airline operations now hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tugade. “Some airlines are readily capable of mounting inter island flights to serve communities from one GCQ area to another GCQ area using the inter Visayas or inter Mindanao air routes,” said Sydiongco.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer May 02, 2020 07:07 UTC