“Our flight to and from Taipei on Aug. 5 Friday will proceed as scheduled. We will carry out flight rerouting to avoid restricted airspace,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Vilalluna said in an advisory. (FILE PHOTO)
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Thursday announced that it would continue its normal flight operations to Taiwan on Friday, rerouting to avoid currently closed airspace near the country.
“Our flight to and from Taipei on Aug. 5 Friday will proceed as scheduled. [However,] we will carry out flight rerouting to avoid restricted airspace,” PAL spokesperson Cielo Vilalluna said in an advisory.
PAL issued the flight status after the Taiwan aviation authorities released a Notice to Airmen (Notam), which informed airline companies of the airspace closure from 12nn August 4 to 12nn August 7.
The company had assured the public that it is closely monitoring the situation in Taiwan, proceeding with its August 4 flight operations with an alternative flight routing to avoid the restricted airspace.
“Philippine Airlines assures that regular coordination is being carried out with Taiwan authorities,” said Villaluna.
The closure of the airspace was triggered after China launched unprecedented live-fire military drills in six areas that ring Taiwan on Thursday.
The said drills were conducted amid US Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, further intensifying the tension between Taiwan and China.