IN the wake of heightened tensions in the Middle East, which have resulted in several flight disruptions affecting routes to and from the region, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is closely monitoring flight operations.
Relatedly, CAAP Director General Retired Lt. Gen. Raul Del Rosario assured the public that the Authority is taking proactive measures to safeguard passengers and crew, following the directives of Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. and Transportation Secretary Giovanni Lopez.
“We are closely monitoring the situation in the Middle East and are in constant coordination with airlines, airport authorities, and international aviation partners. The safety and security of passengers and flight operations remain our highest priority,” Lt. Gen. Del Rosario said.
Meantime, CAAP spokesperson Eric Apolonio said CAAP is advising affected passengers to coordinate directly with their respective airlines for rebooking options, refunds and updated flight information.
He said that since February 28, a total of 23 international flights have been cancelled and three international flights have been diverted by various airlines due to safety considerations and airspace restrictions.
The affected flights are as follows: Cancelled flights- Cebu Pacific – 2; Philippine Airlines – 8; Qatar Airways – 2; Gulf Air – 1; Etihad Airways – 4 and Emirates – 6 while the diverted flights are as follows: Philippine Airlines – 2 and Qatar Airways – 1.
