A government-chartered Philippine Airlines flight landed in Davao City from Dhaka, Bangladesh, carrying 137 Filipino seafarers and their family members on Thursday night.
PAL flight PR-8787 departed from Dhaka at 11:05 am local time and arrived at the Francisco Bangoy International Airport at 7:00 pm local time, clocking a total of 5 hours and 55 minutes. PAL’s next-generation Airbus A321neo aircraft was used for the repatriation flight.
Deputy Chief Pilot of Narrow-body Aircraft Capt. Gallario Ibarra, Capt. Anthony Katigbak, FO Buddy Salvador, and FO Willex Amelliam piloted the Dhaka-Davao flight. PAL crew also aboard were Maria San Gabriel and Maria Diaz.
“Our kababayans who have been stranded in Bangladesh since the start of the pandemic are so glad to be home. They excitedly waved their mini Philippine flags upon touchdown of PAL’s A321 in Davao City this evening,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.
The repatriated OFWs are expected to undergo a 10-day hotel quarantine period before being sent to their localities. An RT-PCR COVID-19 test will be scheduled on the seventh day.
The Dhaka-Davao repatriation flight on Thursday is one of two expected flights to be flown direct to Davao City, according to Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte. Another PAL flight from Dubai carrying over 350 passengers will also arrive within the week.
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