Philippine Airlines Extends Manila–Riyadh Flight Suspension Until Nov. 29
Key Takeaways
- •Philippine Airlines extended the suspension of its Manila–Riyadh flights until Nov. 29, citing the evolving security situation at King Khalid International Airport.
- •The suspension, covering flights PR654 and PR655, began with cancellations on Oct. 8 and will now run more than seven weeks, with resumption tied to the airline's ongoing safety assessment.
- •The move followed Oct. 7 attacks on Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport and Abha International Airport, claimed by Yemen's Houthi rebels, which Saudi aviation authorities said killed three people and injured 36 others.
- •The route is a key air link for the large Filipino community in Saudi Arabia, a top destination for overseas Filipino workers, and PAL has not said whether flights to other destinations will be suspended.
- •Parent PAL Holdings swung to an attributable net loss of P6.12 billion in the second quarter as flying operations expenses rose 68.3% to P35.29 billion, even as revenue grew 10.8% to P51.38 billion, and its shares closed 1.11% lower at P3.57 on Monday.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) has extended the suspension of its Manila–Riyadh flights until Nov. 29, citing the evolving security situation at King Khalid International Airport, the main international gateway to the Saudi capital.
"PAL continues to closely monitor developments and assess conditions affecting the safe operation of its flights. Further updates will be provided as necessary," the flag carrier said in an advisory issued on Monday.
The suspension covers flight PR654 from Manila to Riyadh as well as the return service, PR655, according to the airline. The route is a key air link for the large Filipino community in Saudi Arabia, which has long ranked among the top destinations for overseas Filipino workers.
PAL first canceled its Riyadh flights on Oct. 8 and later extended the cancellation through Oct. 11 while it assessed conditions at the airport and their implications for flight safety. With the latest extension, the grounding will run more than seven weeks from the initial cancellations, with the route's resumption tied to the airline's continuing assessment of conditions at the airport.
The move followed attacks on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Abha International Airport in Saudi Arabia, for which Yemen's Houthi rebels claimed responsibility. Saudi aviation authorities reported that the Oct. 7 attacks on the two airports killed three people and injured 36 others.
PAL did not say whether it would suspend flights to other destinations amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The carrier operates domestic and international services connecting the Philippines with destinations across Asia, North America, Australia, and the Middle East.
In its second-quarter results, PAL Holdings, Inc., the airline's parent company, swung to an attributable net loss of P6.12 billion from an attributable net income of P3.33 billion a year earlier, as expenses grew faster than revenue. Flying operations expenses surged 68.3% to P35.29 billion from P20.97 billion, accounting for the bulk of the increase in costs. The company reported second-quarter revenue of P51.38 billion, up 10.8% from P46.39 billion a year earlier.
At the local bourse on Monday, shares in PAL Holdings fell by four centavos, or 1.11%, to close at P3.57 apiece. — Ashley Erika O. Jose
