Photo by RMBulseco | Facebook
MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific (CEB) canceled multiple flights to and from key Middle East cities on Tuesday, March 3, as tensions in the region continued to heighten, prompting carriers to reassess safety conditions for long‑haul routes.
PAL announced that it scrapped three flights scheduled for March 3: PR 685 (Doha–Manila), PR 684 (Manila–Doha), and PR 654/655 (Manila–Riyadh–Manila). The flag carrier said the decision was made “in view of ongoing developments and in the interest of ensuring the safety of our passengers, crew and ground personnel.”
The airline also extended cancellations into the following days. For March 4, PAL suspended PR 685 (Doha–Manila), PR 684 (Manila–Doha), and PR 658/659 (Manila–Dubai–Manila). On March 5, it again canceled PR 685 (Doha–Manila) due to volatile regional conditions.
Cebu Pacific likewise halted its March 3 Dubai service, canceling 5J 14/15 (Manila–Dubai–Manila). In an earlier advisory issued March 2, the budget carrier cited the “continuing and evolving security situation in parts of the Middle East” as the basis for its operational adjustments.
CEB said it is offering free rebooking and Travel Fund options for passengers with flights to and from Dubai (March 1–8) and Riyadh (March 1–9). PAL has yet to detail passenger options in its March 3 advisory, but emphasized that the cancellations were made to ensure safety.
The latest wave of suspensions comes as airlines worldwide navigate airspace restrictions and shifting risk assessments across the Middle East, where geopolitical tensions have disrupted commercial aviation corridors. Philippine carriers said they continue to monitor developments and will adjust operations as needed.
