Philippine Airlines resumes Manila to Dubai flights after seven-month suspension

Philippine Airlines (PAL) will resume nonstop flights between Manila and Dubai on Friday, 2 October, ending a seven-month suspension triggered by regional security concerns. The flag carrier confirmed the Manila-Dubai-Manila service will initially operate four times a week, scheduled for every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. Flight Schedule and Capacity The airline is adopting a phased return to the UAE market following the suspension that began on 28 February. Flight PR 658 is scheduled to depart Manila at 12:50 PM, arriving in Dubai at 6:00 PM. The return leg, PR 659, will depart Dubai at 7:45 PM and arrive in Manila at 9:10 AM the following day. PAL officials stated that the airline intends to increase frequency to a daily service as operating conditions permit. To support the restart, PAL offered a 50 per cent discount on base fares during a flash sale on Wednesday, 23 September. The carrier has also introduced an all-in round-trip fare starting from $650 (Dh2,387), subject to availability and specific terms. Regional Security Impact The service was originally halted in late February after an escalation in Middle East conflict led to restrictions in regional airspace and airport operations. By 13 March, PAL executives had deemed flights to Dubai "extremely risky," leading to a series of extensions that kept the route closed through August and September. The resumption follows similar moves by the carrier to restore Manila-Doha and Manila-Riyadh services earlier…