Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced the temporary suspension of several Middle East-bound flights due to escalating geopolitical unrest and consequent airspace restrictions in the region.
In a statement issued Tuesday, the flag carrier confirmed the cancellation of services from Manila to Doha, Dubai, and Riyadh, citing “developing situations” that have led to heightened operational risks. The Manila–Doha flight on June 24 and the return Doha–Manila leg on June 25 are among the affected routes.
The Lucio Tan-led airline emphasized that the disruptions are a response to “airspace closures or restrictions in the area,” and assured that it is in ongoing coordination with international aviation authorities, global network partners, and relevant government agencies.
From a commercial standpoint, the flight suspensions affect PAL’s critical long-haul Middle East network, which serves a large overseas Filipino worker (OFW) market. The decision underscores the broader implications of regional instability on aviation logistics and corporate operations.
In its advisory, PAL urged affected passengers not to proceed to the airport and instead take advantage of rebooking options. These include:
- Rebooking within 60 days from original departure, subject to availability in the same or higher booking class within the same cabin;
- Conversion of unused base fare to travel credits, valid for one year from issuance;
- Full refund with no penalties, excluding the ticketing service charge.
Further updates will depend on ongoing assessments of airspace safety and diplomatic developments in the Middle East.
