More than 300 domestic flights are expected to be cancelled or rescheduled as the Philippines prepares to host the 49th ASEAN Summit, raising concerns for thousands of passengers travelling through Manila during one of the country’s busiest diplomatic events of the year.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced the expected disruptions on November 10, saying flight adjustments would begin ahead of the summit, which is scheduled for November 16 to 18, 2026.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said international flights are not expected to be cancelled as part of the current arrangements, although some delays may occur because aircraft carrying foreign leaders and ASEAN delegates will receive priority.
The affected services involve major Philippine carriers, including Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia. Passengers are being advised to check directly with their airlines because individual flight schedules may change.
The disruptions are linked to heightened airport security and the arrival of foreign delegations, particularly at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). SunStar Publishing Inc.+3
Three Options Guaranteed for Passengers With Affected Flights
The government says passengers whose flights are cancelled or rescheduled because of the ASEAN Summit should not be forced to pay additional charges to change their travel plans.
Affected passengers are entitled to choose among three options:
- Free rebooking: Change the flight without additional fees or penalties.
- Full refund: Receive a refund of the ticket price.
- Travel fund: Convert the ticket value into credits for a future booking.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the DOTr to coordinate with airlines to protect passengers from additional financial costs arising from summit-related flight disruptions.
Transportation officials have urged travellers to contact their respective airlines to confirm eligibility and arrange their preferred option. Passengers should also monitor their email and text messages for direct notifications from carriers. Philippine Information Agency+1
Flight Changes Affect Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia
The reported adjustments involve the country’s major airlines, although the precise flights and dates differ by carrier.
Philippine Airlines has published a detailed advisory listing domestic and international services cancelled or rescheduled between November 14 and 18. Its affected routes include flights connecting Manila with Cebu, Davao, Bacolod, Cagayan de Oro, Zamboanga, Iloilo, General Santos, Butuan and other destinations.
PAL also listed selected international services, including routes involving Riyadh, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Xiamen, Sydney, Singapore, Jinjiang and Denpasar.
Cebu Pacific previously confirmed that it had adjusted several domestic and international flights ahead of the summit. The airline said affected passengers had been notified and re-accommodated, while indicating that its schedule adjustments had already been completed at the time of its announcement.
Philstar.com reported that the wider list of affected flights also covers AirAsia, Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines, with schedules spanning November 13 to 19. Travellers should therefore avoid relying on a general date range alone and verify their specific flight number with the airline. Philippine Airlines+3
Why the ASEAN Summit Is Affecting Flight Schedules
The 49th ASEAN Summit and Related Summits will bring Southeast Asian leaders, international partners and government delegations to the Philippines from November 16 to 18.
The arrival of heads of state and other high-level officials requires additional security coordination at airports and along transport routes. Authorities are prioritizing the movement of official delegations while coordinating with airlines and airport operators to manage the impact on regular commercial services.
The Civil Aeronautics Board had earlier warned that the arrival of ASEAN delegates could require temporary flight and airport operational adjustments, together with enhanced security measures. The resulting changes may affect both flight schedules and airport operations. Philippine News Agency+1
The disruptions are not limited to the airlines. Passengers travelling to and from NAIA may also encounter heavier road traffic, security checks and access restrictions around key summit locations.
In a separate report, GMA News said motorists were already experiencing congestion on roads leading to the airport. Transportation officials advised passengers to leave earlier than usual, with Dizon recommending that international travellers consider arriving at the airport three hours before departure instead of the usual two-hour allowance. GMA News Online
ASEAN Help Desks to Assist Passengers at Three Airports
To assist travellers dealing with schedule changes and summit-related concerns, ASEAN help desks will be established at three major airports:
- Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Metro Manila
- Clark International Airport in Pampanga
- Mactan-Cebu International Airport in Cebu
These assistance points are intended to help passengers obtain information and address questions about the travel adjustments.
Passengers should nevertheless contact their airlines directly for confirmation of flight status, rebooking arrangements, refunds and travel credits. Airport help desks should not be treated as a substitute for checking the airline’s official flight advisory. SunStar Publishing Inc.+1
What Travellers Should Do Before Heading to the Airport
With the summit approaching, passengers are being urged to take precautions rather than wait until they reach the terminal to discover a schedule change.
Travellers with flights between November 13 and 19 should:
- Check their flight status through the airline’s official website or application before leaving home.
- Monitor email and text messages for cancellation or rescheduling notices.
- Contact the airline immediately if their flight is affected and choose among the available passenger options.
- Allow extra time for the journey to the airport, particularly when travelling through Metro Manila.
- Keep booking references and identification documents accessible when seeking assistance.
Even passengers whose flights have not been changed may experience delays getting to the airport because of traffic and security operations.
ASEAN Security Preparations Could Affect More Than Air Travel
The flight adjustments are part of a wider transportation and security operation surrounding the summit.
Authorities have been preparing for increased movement of foreign leaders and delegations, with security personnel assigned to venues, official routes and other locations connected to the event.
As previously reported by WWC ONE MEDIA, nearly 17,000 police and support personnel are included in the capital-region security preparations. Clark and Subic have also been identified as alternative arrival gateways for visiting delegations. These arrangements are intended to support the movement and protection of foreign guests, although they add logistical demands across several locations.
Related WWC ONE MEDIA coverage:
- Philippines Deploys Nearly 17,000 Security Personnel for ASEAN Summit as Clark and Subic Become Backup Gateways
- Nearly 17,000 Personnel Mobilized for ASEAN Summit as Metro Manila Police Enforce Strict Checkpoints
- MMDA Suspends Public Event Permits in Five Metro Manila Cities Ahead of ASEAN Summit
The MMDA has separately announced a temporary suspension of permits for certain public events in Manila, Pasay, Parañaque, Makati and Taguig from October 24 to November 20. The measure is intended to help reduce traffic disruptions during summit preparations. WWC One Media+2
What the Flight Disruptions Mean for the Philippines
The cancellation and rescheduling of more than 300 flights underline the logistical challenges of hosting a major international gathering.
The government must accommodate visiting leaders and official delegations while maintaining regular air travel for Filipino passengers, overseas workers, business travellers and tourists.
The current arrangements indicate that domestic services will bear the main impact, while international flights are not expected to face cancellations under the DOTr’s announcement. However, delays remain possible, and passengers should rely on their airline’s latest advisory rather than assume that their original itinerary will remain unchanged.
For travellers, the most important step is to confirm their flight before departure and act promptly if they receive a disruption notice. Free rebooking, a full refund or travel credits are the options announced for affected passengers.
The summit may last only three days, but its effects on airline schedules and airport operations are expected to begin earlier and extend beyond the formal opening.
With more than 300 flights facing changes, the question for passengers is no longer simply whether the ASEAN Summit will affect travel. It is whether airlines and airport authorities can manage the disruption without leaving travellers confused, delayed or struggling to secure the assistance they are entitled to receive.
