PAL Mideast flights back to normal

MANILA, Philippines, June 25 ------ Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) announced last night the resumption of all its Middle East flights starting today, following the reopening of airspace in the region.

PAL previously canceled multiple flights to Middle East cities Doha, Dubai and Riyadh, due to the Iran-Israel conflict that is choking air and sea corridors. In an earlier advisory, PAL canceled Flight PR 684, scheduled yesterday, from Manila bound for Doha due to the developing situation in the Middle East.

Moreover, PAL previously called off the return flight, PR 685, slated for today, following retaliatory attacks from Iran on the Al Udeid airbase in Qatar. Likewise, PAL canceled Flight PR 658, bound for Dubai, and its return trip PR 659. The airline also grounded Flight PR 654, destined for Riyadh, and its return service PR 655.

PAL previously advised its passengers on the canceled flights that they have a number of options to choose from. The airline said they may rebook for another trip with available seats within 60 days from the original flight. Further, passengers may convert their ticket into travel credits equivalent to the unused base fare, with the voucher valid for one year from the date of the issuance. PAL also said they may refund their ticket without penalties, excluding ticketing service charge, which can be done online at the airline’s website. Given the tensions in the Middle East, PAL reminded passengers to regularly check the status of their flight before proceeding to the airport.

Cebu Pacific flights

Low-cost carrier Cebu Pacific, for its part, is proceeding with its flights to Dubai, saying the flight path is far from the conflict zones. Still, the carrier said it is monitoring the situation in the Middle East as it develops. “Our route does not fly over the conflict-affected areas in the Middle East, allowing us to operate safely. We continue to actively monitor the situation and will share further updates as necessary,” Cebu Pacific said.

As of 3 a.m. yesterday, hundreds of departing passengers – a majority of whom are overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) – lined up at the Cebu Pacific and Emirates counters at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 for flights to Dubai. Some OFWs took Dubai flights that lead to connecting flights to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. “No other choice,” said one departing OFW in Filipino. “We need to go back to work in Saudi for our families, despite the threat from Israel and Iran.”

PAL flies daily to Dubai and Riyadh and five times weekly to Doha, while Cebu Pacific reaches Dubai 10 times a week.

Source: philstar.com