MANILA — The ongoing military conflict in the Middle East has forced the cancellation of at least 45 flights connected to the Philippines, with the number continuing to rise as hostilities intensify across the region.

Civil aviation authorities confirmed that 42 international flights were grounded starting February 28, with cancellations spread across seven airlines: 

• Cebu Pacific Air (2)
• Philippine Airlines (10)
• Qatar Airways (6)
• Gulf Air (5)
• Etihad Airways (9)
• Emirates (8)
• Kuwait Airways (2).

Three additional flights were cancelled on Monday, March 2, including:

• Philippine Airlines flight PR685 on the Manila-Doha route
• Etihad Airways flights EY440 and EY441 operating between Abu Dhabi and Manila 
• Gulf Air flights GFA154 and GFA155 on the Bahrain-Manila route.

The disruptions come as conflict in the Middle East reached a critical new phase. The United States launched strikes against hundreds of targets inside Iran, while Israel extended its military operations into Lebanon. President Donald Trump, who ordered the campaign following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, pledged further action after American casualties were reported.

Iranian forces responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and the United Arab Emirates, killing civilians and further destabilizing air travel across the Gulf region.

Passengers with upcoming travel to or from the Middle East are advised to contact their airlines directly for rebooking options and the latest flight status updates.