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Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific are closely monitoring the situation in Taiwan
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Taiwan has closed its airspace from 12 noon of August 4 to 12 noon of August 7
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The move followed the launch by China of live-military drills in six areas surrounding Taiwan on Thursday (Aug 4)
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The drills were conducted amid US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, which China sees as part of its territory
Local airlines are closely monitoring the situation in Taiwan following closure of the territory’s airspace.
Philippine Airlines on Thursday (Aug 4) said it would continue operating flights to Taiwan on Friday but will reroute to avoid closed airspace in the territory.
In an advisory, PAL spokesperson Cielo Vilalluna said, “Our flight to and from Taipei on Aug. 5 Friday will proceed as scheduled” although the airline “will carry out flight rerouting to avoid restricted airspace.”
Taiwan aviation authorities on Aug 4 released a Notice to Airmen, which informed airline companies that it was closing the territory’s airspace from 12 noon of August 4 to 12 noon of August 7.
The airspace closure followed the launch by China of live-military drills in the seas around Taiwan on Thursday. The drills were conducted amid US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Tuesday visit to Taiwan, which China sees as part of its territory. The visit of Pelosi, the highest-profile elected US official to visit the island in 25 years, has angered China.
China had warned of repercussions in a bid to prevent the visit, seen in Beijing as support for Taiwan’s independence.
“Philippine Airlines assures that regular coordination is being carried out with Taiwan authorities,” Villaluna said.
Meanwhile, Cebu Pacific said it is only accommodating essential travel between Manila and Taipei on a once-weekly flight.
It said it is also “monitoring the situation but there are no changes in our network as of now.”
