Philippine carriers suspend more Middle East flights amid war
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In March, Philippine carriers announced reductions in both domestic and international flights because of soaring jet fuel prices.
PHOTO: AFP
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MANILA – Philippine carriers have suspended more flights to the Middle East, as airlines exercise caution amid ongoing security risks due to the US-Iran conflict.
Budget airline Cebu Air, in a post on its Facebook account, said it had cancelled flights to and from Dubai until April 30, adding that “further schedule adjustments may take place”.
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines, in a similar statement, said a temporary suspension of its flights to Dubai and Doha will be implemented until May 31, while flights to Riyadh will be halted until April 9, citing “potential risks to critical infrastructure and overall airspace safety”.
Many travellers on these routes are Filipinos working in the Middle East who rely on these flights to move between their workplaces and home towns.
The six-week-old war between the US and Iran has killed thousands of people and sparked a global energy crisis. The two countries agreed to a two-week ceasefire on April 7.
The South-east Asian nation’s airlines in March announced reductions in both domestic and international flights because of soaring jet fuel prices.
The government has said it can intervene to help airlines secure jet fuel, reducing the risk of aircraft groundings as the global oil shortage triggered by the Iran war threatens air travel. BLOOMBERG
