Philippine Airlines is temporarily unable to accept non-immigrant visitors to the United States (US) traveling under the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
The Manila-based carrier issued an advisory on its website of the change, which according to a report by LoyaltyLobby is a result of the expiration of its agreement with the US Customs and Border Protection that allowed the airline to view and verify passenger enrollments under the VWP.
“Philippine Airlines is temporarily unable to accept non-immigrant visitors to the United States (US) who are traveling under the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP) pursuant to Title 8, U.S.C. § 1187(a)(5). We are currently in coordination with the US Customs Border Protection regarding this matter,” Philippine Airlines said in its advisory.
Under the VWP, citizens of 40 countries can enter the US for 90 days or less for business or tourism without a visa. The traveler information under the VWP are verified by the airlines before the flights bound to the US. The change will result in Philippine Airlines not being able to verify the VWP information.
Philippine Airlines stated that passengers who are Filipinos with valid US visas or US citizens/residents, are not affected.
In its advisory, Philippine Airlines is offering the option for passengers affected to travel on other airlines, or to get travel credits or refund.
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