March 8: PAL, Cebu Pacific cancel flights amid Middle East tensions
MANILA, Philippines — Several flights of Manila-based airlines in the Middle East have been canceled following temporary airport closures amid rising regional tensions.
Dubai International Airport suspended operations on Saturday, March 7, after a drone attack near its terminal. The attacks coincided with Iran launching 16 ballistic missiles and 120 drones into the United Arab Emirates.
Qatar’s Hamad International Airport has also temporarily suspended operations due to the attacks.
In separate advisories, Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific announced cancellations of select flights to and from some Middle East airports.
The following are the cancelled flights:
Philippine Airlines
March 8 (Sunday)
- PR 685 Doha-Manila
- PR 684 Manila-Doha
- PR 654/655 Manila-Riyadh-Manila
- PR 658/659 Manila-Dubai-Manila
March 9 (Monday)
- PR 685 Doha-Manila
- PR 684 Manila-Doha
- PR 654/655 Manila-Riyadh-Manila
- PR 658/659 Manila-Dubai-Manila
March 10 (Tuesday)
- PR 685 Doha-Manila
- PR 684 Manila-Doha
- PR 654/655Manila-Riyadh-Manila
March 11 (Wednesday)
- PR 685 Doha-Manila
The flagship carrier said passengers affected by the flight suspensions may rebook or refund their tickets in accordance with PAL’s policy.
Passengers were also urged to check their flight status and the latest advisories before heading to the airport.
Cebu Pacific
March 8 (Sunday)
- 5J 14/15: Manila - Dubai - Manila
- 5J 740: Manila - Riyadh
March 9 (Monday)
- 5J 14/15: Manila - Dubai - Manila
- 5J 18/19: Manila - Dubai - Manila
- 5J 741: Riyadh - Manila
Flights in the Middle East have been canceled since February 28, following coordinated attacks against Iran by the United States and Israel.
In response, several countries in the region have closed their airspace due to Iran’s retaliatory actions.
On Sunday, March 8, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian apologized to neighboring countries for the recent strikes.
Pezeshkian acknowledged that the strikes had targeted these nations directly and said Iranian forces had been instructed to cease further attacks, provided no additional assaults are launched against Iran from those territories.
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