Summary
- Philippine Airlines’ US Customs Visa Waiver Agreement has expired, stopping them from transporting passengers to the US who depend on this program.
- Passengers affected by this expiration are being rebooked onto other airlines with valid visa waiver agreements and receiving substantial compensation packages.
- Philippine Airlines’ routes to the US contribute significantly to their revenue, and while they’ve not publicly addressed the difficulty, they’re likely working to resolve it.
Today, a crisis has struck for the flag carrier of the Philippines, Philippine Airlines, because the carrier’s US Customs Visa Waiver Agreement has expired without renewal. Thus, the carrier is now unable to move any passengers to america who intend to utilize this program to enter america.
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While many are usually not entirely sure how far-reaching such a problem is, this expiration will seriously affect the airline’s operations until the agreement has been reinstated. Currently, Philippine Airlines cannot transport passengers to america who don’t hold a visa or are usually not Americans or everlasting residents.
What could occur to you?
For passengers aiming to travel to america on Philippine Airlines, the implications will likely be not all that serious, because the airline will likely be required to rebook passengers onto other airlines with valid visa waiver agreements. Passengers have been reported receiving sizable compensation packages, along with being promptly rebooked onto other carriers.
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For instance, a passenger traveling from Singapore Changi Airport (SIN) to Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) via Philippine Airlines’ hub at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL) in Manila was rebooked onto a United Airlines flight leaving just just a few hours later. The passenger, who was traveling in economy class, also received a $1,000 compensation package, which is somewhat sizable given the service class.
If you happen to are traveling on Philippine Airlines to america and don’t hold a US visa or maintain citizenship or everlasting residency, please remember to double-check the status of your flight. If possible, aim to reach on the airport just a few hours early to be able to avoid lengthy lines on the passenger services counter.
What’s Philippine Airlines doing about it?
Considering that routes to america account for a substantial portion of Philippine Airlines’ revenue, it’s surprising that the airline has not been more vocal about what they’re doing to resolve the difficulty. The carrier has not responded to our request for a comment on the situation, and so they haven’t yet released a public statement addressing the difficulty. The carrier’s website, nevertheless, does include the next temporary snippet:
For passengers traveling to america under Electronic System for Travel Authorization, Philippine Airlines’ application for renewal of the required carrier agreement with the US Customs Boarder Protection is currently in process. We’re temporarily unable to simply accept non-immigrant visitors to the US under the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) pursuant to Title 8, U.S.C. § 1187(a)(5).
While passengers who booked flights prior to the expiration have been adequately rebooked and compensated, those that book after the warning was issued will likely not be so fortunate. Clearly, this case has led to a big revenue loss for the carrier, and in consequence, the airline is definitely doing all the pieces it may well to resolve the difficulty.
Photo: KC Melete/Shutterstock
Currently, Philippine Airlines serves five destinations in america, including John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM) in Guam and Honolulu. Lots of these routes see service from the carrier’s flagship Airbus A350 and Boeing 777-300ER jets.