Airlines cut back flights as Philippine holiday hotspot prepares for closure

By Neil Jerome Morales MANILA (Reuters) - A decision by the Philippines to close the holiday hotspot of Boracay, which President Rodrigo Duterte has called a "cesspool", prompted airlines Thursday to cut back flights to the island, while business groups called for the decision to be reconsidered. The abrupt presidential order to close Boracay to tourism for six months from April 26, aimed at rescuing the once idyllic island from ruin, was issued Wednesday. Cebu Pacific, the dominant domestic carrier, said it canceled 14 daily round-trip flights to Caticlan and Kalibo, Boracay's two main gateways, from April 26 to Oct. 25, while Philippine Airlines [PHL.UL] said it would scale down services to the airports and add flights to other destinations.
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