Philippine Airlines (PAL) has announced the temporary suspension of multiple flights connecting Manila with major cities in the Middle East, including Dubai, Riyadh, and Doha, with cancellations in effect until March 28.

In an official advisory, the Philippine flag carrier said the decision was taken as a precautionary measure due to the evolving geopolitical situation in the region, which has created operational uncertainties across several airspace corridors and airport operations.

The affected services include flight numbers PR 654/655 operating between Manila and Riyadh, PR 658/659 between Manila and Dubai, and PR 684/685 serving the Manila–Doha route. In addition, PAL confirmed that flight PR 685 (Doha to Manila) scheduled for March 29 has also been cancelled.

Safety as Top Priority

The airline emphasized that the suspension was implemented primarily to safeguard passengers, crew members, and aircraft while regional conditions remain unpredictable.

PAL stated that halting these services temporarily represents the most responsible course of action given the current operating environment. The airline added that it is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with aviation authorities and relevant stakeholders to determine when regular operations can safely resume.

Options for Affected Passengers

Passengers holding confirmed bookings on the affected routes have been offered several options by the airline, including rebooking and other travel arrangements, as PAL works to minimize disruptions caused by the suspension.

Impact on Overseas Filipino Workers

The airline also acknowledged that many travelers on these routes are Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who regularly commute between their workplaces in Gulf countries and their families in the Philippines. The suspension may therefore affect both passenger travel and cargo movements connected to these routes.

Situation Remains Under Review

According to Philippine Airlines, the March 28 suspension timeline reflects its current operational planning window. The carrier said it will continue to review developments in the region and adjust its flight schedule accordingly.

PAL reaffirmed its commitment to restoring services to the Middle East as soon as conditions allow, while maintaining its focus on providing safe, reliable, and passenger-focused operations.

Saudi Arabia’s aviation industry is moving into a new growth cycle as airlines expand their fleets and strengthen regional and international connectivity, supported largely by new narrowbody aircraft orders.

This rapid expansion is expected to significantly increase the need for trained pilots across the region. Industry projections from the Boeing Pilot and Technician Outlook estimate that the Middle East will require more than 58,000 new pilots over the next 20 years as carriers scale up operations and route networks.

Saudi Arabia is expected to account for a large portion of that demand, reflecting its ongoing investment in aviation development and airline capacity growth.

The pressure is not limited to the region. Global forecasts show similar trends across key markets. CAE’s Aviation Talent Forecast suggests North America could need over 130,000 pilots by 2032, while the Asia-Pacific region may face a shortfall of more than 250,000 pilots.

Aviation experts say this simultaneous expansion is placing significant strain on global training systems and simulator capacity.

Martynas Mazeika, Chief Growth Officer at BAA Training, part of Avia Solutions Group, said the pace of airline expansion is reshaping training requirements. He noted that as new aircraft enter service each year, demand for qualified pilots is rising in parallel, requiring airlines to rely on scalable training partnerships and international resources.

He added that access to simulator capacity and flexible training programs is becoming increasingly important for airlines managing long-term fleet growth.

Based on Boeing’s estimates and standard requirements of around 200 flight hours per pilot, training more than 58,000 pilots in the Middle East would require roughly 11.6 million flight training hours.

By comparison, a typical flight academy operating around ten training aircraft generates only about 12,000 to 15,000 hours annually, underscoring the scale of capacity expansion needed to meet demand.

Simulator training presents a similar challenge. Preparing pilots would require approximately 1.1 million hours on full flight simulators. With each simulator typically delivering 5,000 to 6,000 training hours per year, industry capacity will need to expand significantly.

Mazeika said fleet expansion is not limited to the Middle East, pointing out that airlines in North America, India, and Southeast Asia are also increasing aircraft orders. He stressed that access to global training infrastructure is becoming a key factor in supporting airline growth strategies.

As Saudi carriers continue to grow their narrowbody fleets, demand is expected to rise for type rating and recurrent training, which prepare pilots for new aircraft and maintain operational standards as networks expand.

BAA Training currently provides type rating, recurrent training, and simulator-based programs through its global network of training centres and partners.

With aviation expansion accelerating across Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East, industry stakeholders say that scalable training systems and international cooperation will be essential to keep pilot supply aligned with fleet growth.

Source: ZAWYA

Jazeera Airways has detailed its operational response to the temporary 43-day closure of Kuwait International Airport, highlighting efforts to maintain connectivity and support passengers through alternative regional hubs.

During its second virtual media briefing, the airline reaffirmed its commitment to the Kuwaiti market, stating it is prepared to immediately resume flights from its dedicated Jazeera Terminal (T5) once regulatory approvals are granted.

Chief Executive Officer Barathan Pasupathi said the airline had adapted quickly to the disruption by shifting operations across multiple locations. So far, Jazeera Airways has transported 73,655 passengers via five hubs, including Qaisumah, Dammam, Jeddah and Medina in Saudi Arabia, as well as Cairo in Egypt.

He acknowledged the support of aviation authorities in both Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, alongside government ministries, for facilitating continued connectivity during the disruption.

Operations have also been expanded at Hall 8 of the Kuwait International Fairgrounds in Mishref, where a 2,500-square-metre facility has been established to process passengers. According to Chief Executive for Government Affairs Naser Al Obaid, this development has reduced total travel time from 17 hours to 11.5 hours, improving the overall passenger experience.

The airline reported operating 2,300 flights to date, offering 400,000 seats and connecting 27 cities across 10 countries, with plans to expand to 37 destinations. Current operations from Mishref include up to 20 daily flights, with plans to increase this to 26 and the capacity to scale further to 40 flights per day.

Efforts have also been made to support workforce mobility. Authorities have approved travel routes via Saudi Arabia for passengers holding valid Kuwaiti work visas, allowing entry through Dammam and Qaisumah.

In addition, Jazeera Airways has continued cargo operations, transporting essential goods such as fresh produce and poultry to help maintain food supply chains within Kuwait.

Looking ahead, Pasupathi said the airline expects to reach up to 60% of its operating capacity in the coming month, with increased demand anticipated during the Hajj season. Currently, 14 aircraft are stationed in Dammam, where Jazeera has become the largest operator. Around 450 employees have been deployed across operational hubs, with 90% of the fleet and crew now active.

Officials stressed that safety remains the airline’s top priority. The carrier also confirmed it is ready to gradually resume services from Kuwait once clearance is given, with the flexibility to restore existing routes and introduce new destinations as needed.

Source: ZAWYA

Kuwait Airways has confirmed the resumption of scheduled services to Colombo, Sri Lanka, beginning April 15, as the national carrier continues to rebuild its international network. The route will operate via King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, with passengers completing part of the journey overland through the Nuwaiseeb border crossing.

The Colombo service forms part of a broader expansion strategy that has seen the airline reintroduce multiple destinations through Dammam. These include London, Cairo, Istanbul, Lahore, Amman, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Kochi and Manila, bringing the total number of destinations served under this arrangement to 11.

Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Abdulwahab Ibrahim Al-Shatti said the airline is progressively restoring routes in response to strong passenger demand. He noted that operational plans are being executed to ensure smooth travel experiences, with resources and systems in place to accommodate increasing bookings.

Al-Shatti said the relaunch of Colombo reflects its importance within the airline’s network and aligns with ongoing efforts to expand daily operations. He added that the carrier is working to introduce additional key destinations despite current operational challenges, underlining its commitment to meeting customer needs.

The airline is also facilitating Saudi visa applications for passengers who have confirmed bookings, aiming to streamline travel arrangements. In addition, Kuwait Airways has partnered with Al Khairan Mall to offer travellers access to exclusive retail discounts prior to departure.

Al-Shatti emphasised that the airline continues to coordinate with relevant authorities both within Kuwait and internationally to optimise operations. He reiterated that ensuring the safety and security of passengers and crew remains the airline’s highest priority.

Source: ZAWYA

The Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has reiterated that international pilgrims must obtain a Hajj visa specifically issued for the pilgrimage. Officials stressed that entry for Hajj will not be allowed under any other visa category, including visit, transit, Umrah, or tourist visas.

For citizens and residents inside the Kingdom, Hajj arrangements are processed through the Nusuk, following completion of the official reservation procedures.

The ministry further stated that all bookings must be made strictly through approved and authorized platforms. It cautioned pilgrims against engaging with unofficial agents or unverified channels when arranging Hajj participation.

Source: Saudi Gazette