PAL cancels Riyadh flights until Nov. 29
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has extended the suspension of its flights to and from Riyadh until Nov. 29 as security concerns persist following deadly attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
In an advisory on Monday, PAL said the suspension covers flights PR654 and PR655 between Manila and Riyadh, and comes as the airline continues to assess the “evolving security situation” at King Khalid International Airport where operations were suspended on Oct. 10 (see related story on Page A9). The announcement further extends a suspension first imposed on Oct. 8.
“PAL continues to closely monitor developments and assess conditions affecting the safe operation of its flights. Further updates will be provided as necessary,” the airline said.
The disruption has also affected Cebu Pacific which canceled six flights between Manila and Riyadh through Oct. 13.
No deployment ban
The latest disruption marks another setback for PAL’s Riyadh operations, which were previously suspended at the height of the Iran war earlier this year.
Despite the attacks, Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac said the government saw no immediate need to impose a deployment ban on Filipino workers bound for Saudi Arabia.
In a press briefing, Cacdac still advised Filipinos to avoid unnecessary travel to the kingdom amid the continuing security risks.
He also reminded overseas Filipino workers’ (OFWs) in Saudi Arabia to exercise caution when posting unverified information about the incident online, noting that the country has strict laws against spreading fake news.
The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) and the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) are assisting 94 OFWs whose Riyadh-bound flights were diverted to Jeddah.
“[W]e are helping them with the rebooking service with their respective airlines. And we are continually providing assistance in all facets, so food, transport, shelter assistance [are] being provided,” Cacdac said.
OWWA Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said 30 Filipinos in Riyadh were reported stranded following the temporary airport closure.
She said 20 of them “are staying in government-sponsored, or DMW-OWWA-sponsored, hotels. Seven have been picked up by their relatives in Riyadh.” —WITH REPORTS FROM LUISA CABATO AND CRISTINA ELOISA BACLIG
