PAL flights to Doha, Dubai suspended until April 30

MANILA, Philippines, March 23 ------ Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) is suspending all flights to Doha and Dubai until April 30 as a recourse to airspace closures caused by the war in the Middle East.

In an advisory, PAL said it is terminating all flights to Doha and Dubai until April 30, including the Doha service to Manila on May 1, as a precautionary measure. PAL said it has decided to suspend flights between Manila and select cities in the Middle East in response to airspace uncertainties in the region.

The Middle East is facing one of its most violent periods in recent history. Tehran is striking Gulf neighbors friendly to Israel and the US in retaliation to their Feb. 28 attacks that killed Iran’s supreme leader. Iran’s retaliatory measures are triggering airspace closures in some of the world’s busiest airports like the Dubai International Airport and Hamad International Airport. As it remains uncertain when the geopolitical tensions would die down, PAL chose to err on the side of safety. “Given the current environment, PAL has determined that temporarily suspending these services is the most prudent course of action while conditions remain fluid,” PAL said. “PAL continues to closely monitor the developments and coordinate with aviation authorities and relevant stakeholders to determine when normal operations can safely resume,” it added.

PAL said passengers affected by the flight suspension may rebook for free once services resume; convert their tickets into travel credits or request for a full refund. PAL is the country’s largest carrier operating in the Middle East. It flies daily to Doha, Dubai and Riyadh, capturing the biggest market for overseas Filipino workers. Still, the airline is unfazed in expanding its wings where it can, launching another flight between Manila and Bangkok by April 3. PAL is putting up a six times a week morning flight to Bangkok for travelers who want to arrive in the city early.

Further, PAL is deploying its new long-range aircraft, the Airbus A350-1000, for weekly trips to Toronto starting May 24, providing passengers with the chance to experience flying in one of the most advanced widebody jets to date. PAL is scheduled to receive five more A350-1000s this year, building up its fleet for transpacific flights, especially to the US, where direct flights to Chicago are being explored right now.

Source: philstar.com