MANILA — March 8, 2026: Several flights operated by Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific to the Middle East were canceled due to escalating tensions in the region and temporary airport closures.
✈️ Why flights were canceled
- Airports in the Middle East temporarily halted operations following missile and drone attacks linked to the ongoing regional conflict.
- Dubai International Airport temporarily suspended operations after a drone attack near the terminal area.
- Qatar’s Hamad International Airport also paused operations due to security concerns.
- Airspace restrictions and heightened military tensions across Gulf countries disrupted commercial flights.
✈️ Flights canceled by Philippine Airlines
Affected routes include:
- PR 685 — Doha → Manila
- PR 684 — Manila → Doha
- PR 654 / PR 655 — Manila ↔ Riyadh
- PR 658 / PR 659 — Manila ↔ Dubai
Some cancellations may extend through March 9–11 depending on the route and airport conditions.
✈️ Flights canceled by Cebu Pacific
Canceled flights include:
- 5J 14 / 5J 15 — Manila ↔ Dubai
- 5J 740 — Manila → Riyadh
- 5J 741 — Riyadh → Manila (following day)
📢 Advice for passengers
Airlines advise affected passengers to:
- Check their flight status before heading to the airport
- Rebook or request refunds through airline customer service channels
- Monitor announcements for further schedule adjustments
These cancellations are part of wider aviation disruptions as airlines adjust routes and schedules due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.
