Local airline carriers in the Philippines are no longer requiring face masks on flights, following the lifting of the state of public health emergency due to COVID over the weekend.
Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines all announced the move, noting that they would still follow mask protocols for international destinations.
Philippine Airlines noted that it “welcomes the lifting of the mask mandate and other COVID protocols”, helping to normalize air travel again.
AirAsia meanwhile noted that “guests and crew may still opt to wear face masks whenever they deem necessary”.
Cebu Pacific noted that the lifting of the mask mandates came into effect on Monday.
The Philippine president lifted the state of emergency by decree on Friday, with his office publishing the news on Saturday.
The move is seen as a welcome sign of a total return to normal, aimed at encouraging more foreign visitation and investment.
