45 Flights Canceled or Diverted So Far — CAAP Updates Full List of Middle East Disruptions as of Monday Morning

The flight chaos from the Middle East conflict keeps growing. As of 9 AM Monday, a total of 45 flights to and from the Philippines have been either canceled or diverted due to the ongoing US-Iran war, according to data from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

Of the 45 affected flights, 42 were outright cancellations and three were diverted mid-flight. The cancellations span multiple airlines and routes, covering destinations across the Gulf region — including Dubai, Doha, Riyadh, and other Middle Eastern hubs where hundreds of thousands of OFWs are based.

The disruptions have been ongoing since Saturday, February 28, when the first wave of US-Israeli airstrikes hit Iran. What started with a handful of PAL and Cebu Pacific cancellations has snowballed into a region-wide aviation crisis, with no clear timeline for when normal operations might resume.

International carriers with routes through Middle Eastern airspace have also been affected, as airlines avoid flying over conflict zones. The closure or restriction of airspace over Iran, Iraq, and parts of the Gulf has forced many carriers to either cancel or reroute their flights entirely.

CAAP continues to coordinate with airlines, airport authorities, and international aviation partners. Passengers with upcoming Middle East flights are urged to check directly with their airlines before heading to the airport. Both PAL and Cebu Pacific have offered rebooking and refund options for affected travelers.

Source: GMA News