Stricter rules for US, Canada-bound passengers

Philippine Airlines passengers bound for Los Angeles via Honolulu must undergo full inspection in the Hawaii capital, while those transiting in Vancouver en route to and from San Francisco now require a Canadian visa.

The new regulations, which take effect immediately, are part of the stricter security measures implemented by U.S. and Canadian authorities in the wake of last week’s terrorist attacks in the U.S.

Directly affected by the new rules are passengers of PR 108, who are now required to undergo a thorough check by customs, immigration and quarantine authorities at Honolulu International Airport before being allowed to proceed to Los Angeles.

However, passengers on PR 102 and PR 104 – PAL’s non-stop service to Los Angeles and San Francisco, respectively – will undergo the same check only in their respective port of entry.

Meanwhile, Canadian authorities have suspended until further notice the “transit without visa” facility granted Philippine and other Asian passport holders transiting through Canada on their way to or back from the U.S.

As a result, passengers transiting in Vancouver on PR 106 / PR 107 are now required to obtain a Canadian visitor visa. The visa is required even if the passenger will not exit Vancouver International Airport.

Covered by the new rule are those traveling on the passports of the Philippines, Thailand, Taiwan and Indonesia. Exempted from the requirement are citizens and permanent residents of the U.S. and Canada.

PAL flies 20 times weekly to North America. It operates daily non-stop services to Los Angeles and San Francisco. The airline also flies three times a week to Los Angeles via Honolulu and to San Francisco via Vancouver.