3 hours ago
3
Upgrade to High-Speed Internet for only ₱1499/month!
Enjoy up to 100 Mbps fiber broadband, perfect for browsing, streaming, and gaming.
Visit Suniway.ph to learn
Rudy Santos - The Philippine Star
March 28, 2026 | 12:00am
Affected flights are PR 654 and PR 655.
STAR / File
MANILA, Philippines — In the face of continued tensions in the Middle East, Philippine Airlines (PAL) has suspended flights between Manila and Riyadh until March 31.
Affected flights are PR 654 and PR 655. The flag carrier said the precautionary measure is due to “the evolving security situation affecting parts of the Middle East and the resulting operational uncertainties in certain regional airspace corridors and airport operations.”
“The safety of our passengers, crew and aircraft remains Philippine Airlines’ highest priority. Given the current environment, PAL has determined that temporarily suspending these services is the most prudent course of action while conditions remain fluid,” it noted.
PAL said affected passengers may avail themselves of either free rebooking once flights resume, conversion of tickets into travel credits for future use or full refunds, in accordance with applicable policies.
Vietnam cuts flights
Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines is canceling multiple flights to the Philippines in May amid the fuel price hikes, weakening connectivity in one of the fastest-growing Southeast Asian corridors.
In an advisory, Vietnam Airlines announced the suspension of dozens of flights from Manila and Cebu to Vietnam, as the carrier tries to build up fuel stability in a time of soaring prices.
In particular, Vietnam Airlines is calling off Cebu-Hanoi flights on May 12, 13, 14, 15, 19 and 20 in another blow to the province limping with a reduced network.
The country’s biggest carriers Cebu Pacific and PAL are also cutting Cebu flights to save fuel. Cebu Pacific is suspending its Cebu connections to Singapore between April 16 and Oct. 25.
PAL is also terminating Cebu flights to Ho Chi Minh indefinitely starting April 19. Likewise, the airline is ceasing Cebu services to Guam beginning April 16, about four months after these were launched.
Further, Vietnam Airlines is suspending scheduled flights between Manila and Ho Chi Minh on May 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 20, 21, 22, 26 and 27.
On top of this, the carrier is removing on the calendar certain flights between Manila and Hanoi: May 5, 12, 15, 22, 26 and 29.
349 more repatriates
Another 349 overseas Filipino workers, dependents and stranded Filipinos from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were expected to arrive yesterday at Villamor Air Base on a chartered aircraft.
This was the fifth repatriation process by the government organized by the Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), Department of Foreign Affairs, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Consulate General and the Migrant Workers Office in Dubai, UAE.
DMW said about 2,663 individuals have been assisted in their repatriation since the Middle East conflict, 1,913 of whom are OFWs (1,448) and their dependents (465). — Elijah Felice Rosales, Christine Boton
