27 May 2020, Berlin – 375 Filipino crewmembers of AIDA Cruises departed for the Philippines from Hamburg, Germany on May 2020 via a chartered Evelop Airlines flight.
The seafarers had been awaiting repatriation after cruise trips were suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic starting in March.
The Filipino crew, part of several thousand AIDA Cruises employees of different nationalities, were assisted at the send-off by Philippine Ambassador to Germany Theresa Dizon-De Vega, Welfare Officer Sylvia Gabriel with Embassy Assistants Renante Estrella and Vieto Pilapil.
Before boarding, The Filipino crew were provided with information on how to avail of the AKAP or Social Amelioration Fund and also the Balik Pinas, Balik Hanapbuhay Livelihood Assistance Program.
The Filipino crewmembers are expected to arrive in the Philippines on 28 May 2020. Over 1,000 Filpino seafarers have been repatriated from Germany since April 2020. END
Filcrewmembers check-in for the chartered flight (all photos by Berlin PE)
Top left and right Crew members arrive at Hamburg International Airport from the Hamburg Port Cruise Center; Bottom left Amb. Dizon-De Vega confers with Hamburg Airport Authorities on the movements and procedures for check-in and boarding; Amb. Dizon-De Vega, Welfare Officer Sylvia Gabriel discuss matters on seafarers repatriation with Dr. Scarlett Kleine-Kampmann of the Port and Airport Health Authority of Hamburg who was on hand to assist any seafarers in distress
