AirAsia repatriation flight from Palau spurs new beginnings
With a mission to learn and serve, 18-year old Aira Jane Torres returns to Manila along with 59 other Filipinos and 2 Palauans on Monday, 14 September 2020 via AirAsia Z2 8062, a special chartered flight organized by the Philippine Consulate of Palau.
When asked of her homecoming plans, Aira shared that she enrolled in a pre-med course to eventually become a doctor here in the Philippines.
“I want to give back to the Philippines. I want to help because I know we need more medical professionals. As a student, I will study what I need to study and hopefully volunteer in any initiatives I can to help,” said Aira.
Aira’s mom, who chose to stay in Palau for work, admits she’s a bit worried for her daughter’s well-being considering the number of COVID-19 cases in the Philippines. Palau, a country in the western Pacific Ocean, remains COVID-19 free to this date. However, Aira believes now is the most opportune time to learn while finding ways to help.
During her hour-and-a-half flight from Palau, Aira’s thoughts centered on how she’s going to improve her awareness amid the pandemic. She also realized that traveling in the new normal requires a lot of patience and compassion -- patience because a passenger would have to undergo layers of health and security checks, and compassion for frontliners who are risking their health to ensure everyone’s safety.
Aira said, “Flying in the new normal is a lot different because of the restrictions. Gladly, AirAsia’s crew were approachable and accommodating. They provided us with insights on what to expect and how we should practice safety upon arrival.”
Aira was also joined on the flight by Sheila and Rannie Velasco, a couple from Mabalacat, Pampanga. Both were long-time Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW’s) who decided to return to the Philippines after recently losing their jobs in a hotel in Palau.
Prior to the pandemic, Sheila mentioned that they already had plans to return home towards the end of the year to reunite with their 10- and 4-year-old daughters, Kylie and Yesha. Now, the plan to stay is more entrenched.
When they learned of the repatriation flight, Sheila said, she immediately had their names listed despite not having a clear picture of a future they are about to start back home.
“We remain hopeful that this too shall pass. What’s important now is that we are healthy and we will soon be reunited with our children. Just like every Filipino family, we will face all these challenges together. Thank you AirAsia Philippines for flying us out safely,” said Sheila.
This is the second special AirAsia chartered flight from Palau. To date, AirAsia Philippines has mounted more than 600 chartered repatriation and sweeper flights, bringing home almost 50,000 OFW’s safely.
AirAsia Philippines CEO Ricky Isla said, “AirAsia will always be there, reaching out to every Filipino across the globe. The pandemic may have limited our movements, but we are one with you in charting a new dream, serving for the greater good or simply be an instrument of happy reunions.
“Aira and Sheila, we are greatly inspired by your message of hope and resilience. Stay safe and welcome home,” he added.