Several domestic flights canceled after Airbus technical advisory

Numerous domestic flights were canceled on Saturday, November 29, after Airbus technical advisory requiring a mandatory software update for select A320 and A321 aircraft.

The advisory affected operations of major Philippine carriers, including Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines (PAL), and flights at Mactan–Cebu International Airport (MCIA).

Airbus reportedly directed airline operators to temporarily ground certain aircraft models to complete the software update, which forms part of the manufacturer’s enhanced safety protocols.

Philippine Airlines Cancellations

Philippine Airlines announced that several of its Manila-to-provincial routes were suspended following the advisory.

"We wish to inform our valued passengers that certain flights have been affected due to a technical advisory issued by Airbus for select A320 and A321 aircraft models," PAL said in an advisory.

As of 11:00 AM, PAL confirmed the cancellation of the following flights:

PR 1781/1782 – Manila–Puerto Princesa–Manila
PR 1845 – Manila–Cebu
PR 1880 – Cebu–Manila
PR 1801/1802 – Manila–Davao–Manila
PR 2953/2954 – Manila–Zamboanga–Manila

Several codeshare flights under PAL Express (2P) were also affected, including routes to Tacloban, Caticlan, Iloilo, Tagbilaran, Bacolod, and others.

Cebu Pacific Cancellations

Cebu Pacific likewise suspended numerous flights nationwide after receiving Airbus’ notice. The airline said its engineering teams were working “as quickly and efficiently as possible” to complete the required updates, with additional staff deployed to assist stranded passengers.

As of 8:00 AM, the following Cebu Pacific flights were canceled:

5J 899/900 – Manila–Caticlan–Manila
5J 2511/2502 – Manila–Cebu–Manila
5J 261/262 – Iloilo–Puerto Princesa–Iloilo
5J 4761/4760 – Puerto Princesa–Davao–Puerto Princesa
5J 4736/4737 – Davao–Caticlan–Davao
5J 4768/4769 – Davao–Tacloban–Davao
5J 451/452 – Manila–Iloilo–Manila
5J 633/634 – Manila–Puerto Princesa–Manila
5J 619/620 – Manila–Bohol–Manila
5J 623/624 – Manila–Dumaguete–Manila
5J 659/660 – Manila–Tacloban–Manila
5J 703/704 – Manila–Dipolog–Manila
5J 373/374 – Manila–Roxas–Manila
5J 599/600 – Cebu–Davao–Cebu
5J 997/998 – Manila–General Santos–Manila
5J 965/966 – Manila–Davao–Manila
5J 321/322 – Manila–Legazpi–Manila
5J 3093/3094 – Manila–Butuan–Manila
5J 395/396 – Manila–Cagayan de Oro–Manila
5J 597/598 – Cebu–Davao–Cebu
5J 993/994 – Manila–General Santos–Manila
5J 977/978 – Manila–Davao–Manila
5J 473/474 – Manila–Bacolod–Manila
5J 504/505 – Manila–Tuguegarao–Manila
5J 771/772 – Manila–Pagadian–Manila
5J 643/644 – Manila–Puerto Princesa–Manila
5J 847/848 – Manila–Zamboanga–Manila
5J 383/384 – Manila–Cagayan de Oro–Manila
5J 463/464 – Manila–Iloilo–Manila
5J 785/786 – Manila–Butuan–Manila
5J 915/916 – Clark–Caticlan–Clark

Mactan–Cebu International Airport Advisories

MCIA also released an advisory confirming several cancellations involving both departing and arriving flights.

These include:

Departures:

5J 2502 – Cebu to Manila
5J 597 – Cebu to Davao
5J 599 – Cebu to Davao
PR 1880 – Cebu to Manila
5J 433 – Cebu to Zamboanga

Arrivals:

5J 2511 – Manila to Cebu
5J 598 – Davao to Cebu
5J 600 – Davao to Cebu
PR 1845 – Manila to Cebu
5J 434 – Zamboanga to Cebu

Both Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines urged passengers to monitor their official websites and social media channels for updates. Rebooking options, refunds, and travel credits are being offered to affected travelers.

Airlines added that operations are expected to normalize once the Airbus-mandated software updates are completed.

In line with this, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has directed all airlines to promptly address passenger concerns and ensure that essential travel needs are maintained following the widespread disruption caused by Airbus’ technical advisory.