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 in Saudi Arabia.
“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 on Monday.
The suspension covers flight PR654 from Manila to Riyadh and return flight PR655, according to PAL.
The airline initially canceled its Riyadh flights on Oct. 8 before extending the suspension through Oct. 11 as it assessed airport conditions and their implications for flight safety.
The cancellations 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 attacks on the two airports on Oct. 7 killed three people and injured 36 others.
PAL did not specify whether it would suspend flights to other destinations amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
PAL operates domestic and international flights connecting the Philippines with destinations across Asia, North America, Australia, and the Middle East.
For the second quarter, PAL Holdings, Inc., the parent company of PAL, 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 by 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