By el Amigo
MANILA — The deployment of thousands of Filipino workers bound for Saudi Arabia could face delays following reports that Philippine carriers have temporarily suspended flights to Riyadh amid security concerns.
Migrant expert Manny Geslani said Philippine Airlines (PAL) and Cebu Pacific had announced the temporary suspension of their daily services to the Saudi capital after reported ballistic missile attacks raised concerns over passenger safety and airport operations.
The reported disruption could affect overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) scheduled to leave Manila for employment in the Kingdom, potentially forcing them to wait until flights resume.
The development also raises concerns for workers facing deployment deadlines, employment commitments and other arrangements tied to their departure schedules.
Saudi Arabia remains a major destination for Filipino migrant workers, making any interruption in air services a significant concern for prospective OFWs, recruitment agencies and their employers.
Affected workers are advised to coordinate with their recruitment agencies and airlines to confirm flight schedules, ticket rebooking arrangements and possible changes to deployment dates.
However, the extent of the disruption remains unclear pending official confirmation of the affected flights, the duration of any suspension and the number of workers whose departures may be delayed.
Authorities and airline representatives should provide updated advisories to help affected passengers make informed arrangements while security concerns persist.
ia/xf
