PAL suspends 5 more routes amid Middle East oil crisis

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MANILA, Philippines — Philippine Airlines is temporarily suspending flights on five more routes — two international and three domestic — as the Middle East conflict continues to rattle the aviation sector.

The flag carrier announced Thursday, March 26, that it will suspend its Cebu-Guam flights starting April 16 and Cebu-Ho Chi Minh City service beginning April 19, both until further notice. The Ho Chi Minh route will still operate on select dates in May.

On the domestic side, PAL will cut flights between Clark and Siargao from May 4, Cebu and Ozamiz from May 5, and Cebu and Calbayog from May 6, all indefinitely.

PAL attributed the adjustments to "changing conditions affecting global aviation." 

Cargo operations on the affected routes will also be disrupted, though the airline said it is working with logistics partners to find alternative shipping options.

Affected passengers can rebook on alternative routes within 60 days at no penalty, convert their tickets into travel credits, or request a full refund.  

PAL has said in a statement this week that it has secured enough jet fuel supply to carry out its scheduled operations, including long-haul flights, for the foreseeable future.

Wider route cuts

The latest suspensions add to a growing list of flight routes already suspended by PAL. The airline earlier suspended its Manila-Dubai and Manila-Doha services until April 30, citing security concerns and operational uncertainties in the Middle East.

Rival flight carrier Cebu Pacific has gone further, suspending routes from Davao and Iloilo to Bangkok, Iloilo to Singapore, and Clark to Hanoi from April through October, while slashing frequencies on flights to Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur and several Australian cities.