Despite Typhoon Gaemi and a southwest monsoon causing heavy rains in the Philippines, flights between the UAE and Manila are still operating as usual, according to airline officials.
Philippine Airlines (PAL) confirmed that their daily flights between Dubai and Manila remain unaffected. A spokesperson said in a Khaleej Times report, “Philippine flights to and from Dubai are still operating as normal.”
Budget carrier Cebu Pacific (CebPac), which also runs daily flights to and from Manila, has similarly not announced any disruptions.
Etihad Airways, based in Abu Dhabi, also assured that their operations are ongoing without any interruptions. “Currently, our flights between Abu Dhabi and Manila are operating normally with no disruptions,” an Etihad spokesperson stated. “We are closely monitoring the situation as Typhoon Gaemi and strong monsoon conditions impact the Western Pacific region. We continue to assess the situation and will make adjustments if necessary to ensure the safety of our passengers and crew.”
Dubai-based Emirates has not yet issued any updates regarding flight status.
While international flights continue, several domestic flights by both PAL and CebPac have been canceled due to the severe weather. The Philippine government has suspended classes at all academic levels and work in most government offices in Metro Manila, which comprises 16 cities and is home to at least 13 million people.
Typhoon Gaemi, locally known as Carina, has brought maximum sustained winds of 155 kph and gusts up to 190 kph. Although it did not make landfall, the typhoon has intensified the southwest monsoon, leading to heavy rainfall across Luzon over the past three days.
The Philippine Coast Guard reported 354 passengers and 31 vessels stranded in ports, while 13 domestic flights were canceled on Wednesday, according to Manila’s airport authority.