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PAL flies longest route ever ahead of restart from COVID-19

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ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/business/05/23/philippine-airlines-boeing-777.jpg"/><figcaption>A Philippine Airlines Boeing 777. <em>Handout</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA -- Philippine Airlines said Thursday it flew its longest non-stop flight ever, bringing Filipinos home from Miami on a special mission, as it prepared to restart operations from a 2-month-long grounding due to COVID-19.</p><p>The flag carrier, along with Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines are seeking an &quot;emergency credit line&quot; to cope with heavy losses, Philippine Airlines COO Gilbert Santa Maria said. At PAL alone, year to date losses are nearing $1 billion (P50.6 billion).</p><p>&quot;We are not in immediate danger of bankruptcy,&quot; Santa Maria told ANC&#x27;s Market Edge.</p><p>The 10,000-mile journey from the Florida capital to Manila to pick up stranded Filipinos is PAL&#x27;s duty, Santa Maria said.</p><p>&quot;We can&#x27;t wait to fly again. We&#x27;re eagerly awaiting the end of the lockdown,&quot; he said.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/sAXj17zFXxk?enablejsapi=1"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/19/20/philippine-airlines-pal-covid-19-test-international-arrivals-flights-resume">Philippine Airlines to require COVID-19 test, quarantine for international arrivals</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/19/20/empty-middle-seat-depends-on-which-country-you-are-flying-in">Empty middle seat? Depends on which country you are flying in</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/05/20/heres-how-youll-fly-under-cebu-pacifics-new-normal">Here&#x27;s how you&#x27;ll fly Cebu Pacific, PAL under new normal</a></li></ul><p>Airlines around the world are &quot;on the brink of bankruptcy,&quot; said Santa Maria. Among its flag carrier peers in Southeast Asia, Thai Airways sought restructuring from a bankruptcy court while Singapore Airlines recorded its first net loss.</p><p>Philippine Airlines is losing $300 million in revenue per month, compounded by losses from earlier this year. It incurred additional losses in 2019 due to a change in accounting rules, he said.</p><p>The flag carrier has used up half of the $600-million capital infusion from February, he said.</p><p>It would be &quot;extremely inhuman&quot; to lay off more workers at this time, Santa Maria said when asked about job cuts. He said the industry could take 2 to 3 years to recover.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/21/20/virus-stricken-thai-airways-goes-to-bankruptcy-court">Virus-stricken Thai Airways goes to bankruptcy court</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/15/20/singapore-airlines-posts-first-annual-loss-on-fuel-hedges-covid-19">Singapore Airlines posts first annual loss on fuel hedges, COVID-19</a></li></ul><p>Metro Manila and other urban centers are under an enhanced community quarantine or ECQ, which was &quot;modified&quot; or dialed down starting May 16 until May 31. The ECQ is a preparation for a shift to GCQ or general community quarantine with fewer restrictions.</p><p>Santa Maria said air travel could resume first between GCQ areas. On June 1, 5 to 10 percent of international flights and 20 to 30 percent of domestic routes could reopen, he said.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/05/11/20/one-seat-apart-in-planes-airlines-say-not-economically-viable">One seat apart in planes? Airlines say &#x27;not economically viable&#x27;</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/03/10/20/worry-in-the-skies-for-filipino-flight-crew-as-covid-19-grounds-planes">Worry in the skies for Filipino flight crew as coronavirus grounds planes</a></li></ul>

<p>Philippine Airlines said Thursday it flew its longest non-stop flight ever, bringing Filipinos home from Miami, as it prepared to restart operations from a 2-month-long grounding due to COVID-19.</p>

Philippine Airlines said Thursday it flew its longest non-stop flight ever, bringing Filipinos home from Miami, as it prepared to restart operations from a 2-month-long grounding due to COVID-19.