Philippine Airlines (File photo from Philippine Daily Inquirer)
MANILA, Philippines—Philippine Airlines canceled flights to Riyadh and Dammam in Saudi Arabia from July 9-13, citing restrictions “imposed by the Saudi local authorities.”
“These cancellations are beyond PAL’s control and are most regrettable, because they prevent us from serving the urgent travel needs of our OFWs and other passengers,” said PAL in an advisory on Friday (July 9).
The cancelled flights were:
PR 5654 Manila to Riyadh on July 9, 10 and 12
PR 5682 Manila to Dammam on July 11, 12 and 13
PR 5655 Riyadh to Manila on July 9, 10, and 12
PR 5683 Dammam to Manila on July 11, 12 and 13
PAL said passengers of these flights may rebook, convert their tickets to a travel voucher or apply for a refund without penalties.
The flag carrier said it was seeking assistance from the Philippine government in addressing the situation although no further details were provided.
“We reiterate our urgent appeal to the Saudi authorities to reconsider these restrictions and allow PAL to operate our flights to Riyadh and Dammam,” PAL added.
Last May 28, hundreds of OFWs bound for Saudi Arabia were not allowed to board their flights at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport due to confusion over the government’s worker deployment ban.
TSB