Thousands of Flights Cancelled in the Philippines After Urgent Airbus Technical Failure – What You Need to Know!

Published on November 29, 2025

A recent technical advisory from Airbus caused major disruptions in air travel across the Philippines, leading to the cancellation of numerous domestic flights. The advisory required several aircraft to undergo a software upgrade, which affected both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific, two of the country’s largest carriers. This unexpected development left passengers scrambling for alternative travel arrangements, and airline officials worked to ensure customer concerns were addressed as efficiently as possible.

As soon as the advisory was issued on the morning of Friday, Nov. 29, airline teams began making necessary adjustments to comply with the directive. The cancellations impacted multiple routes, and travelers had to quickly navigate the disruptions to their plans.

Airbus Advisory and Its Impact

The advisory issued by Airbus affected up to 6,000 A320 aircraft worldwide, prompting the need for mandatory software upgrades. This led to the grounding of aircraft until the updates could be verified, creating significant delays and cancellations in several regions. The affected flights in the Philippines were just a small part of a much larger international issue.

The importance of these upgrades lies in the critical nature of aircraft software systems, ensuring they meet current safety and operational standards. For airline companies, safety is always a priority, and as a result, compliance with this advisory was non-negotiable, even if it meant causing widespread travel disruptions.

Philippine Airlines’ Cancellations

By 4 a.m. on Friday, Philippine Airlines had announced the cancellation of several key domestic flights. The affected routes were primarily those operated by A320 aircraft, which made up a substantial portion of the airline’s fleet. Among the cancelled flights were:

• PR 1781/1782 Manila – Puerto Princesa – Manila
• PR 1845 Manila – Cebu
• PR 1880 Cebu – Manila
• PR 1801/1802 Manila – Davao – Manila
• 2P 2981/2982 Manila – Tacloban – Manila
• 2P 2035/2036 Manila – Caticlan – Manila
• 2P 2141/2142 Manila – Iloilo – Manila
• 2P 2773/2774 Manila – Tagbilaran – Manila
• 2P 2133/2134 Manila – Bacolod – Manila

Philippine Airlines announced that affected passengers could rebook their flights within 60 days from the original travel date. Additionally, those unable to travel within this period were offered the option to request refunds or convert their tickets into travel funds, giving them flexibility in managing their plans.

Cebu Pacific’s Flight Changes

Similarly, by 8 a.m. on Friday, Cebu Pacific confirmed the cancellation of a broad range of flights, impacting both domestic and international routes. Some of the key cancellations included:

• Manila – Caticlan – Manila (5J 899/900)
• Manila – Cebu – Manila (5J 2511/2502)
• Iloilo – Puerto Princesa – Iloilo (5J 261/262)
• Puerto Princesa – Davao – Puerto Princesa (5J 4761/4760)
• Davao – Caticlan – Davao (5J 4736/4737)
• Davao – Tacloban – Davao (5J 4768/4769)
• Manila – Iloilo – Manila (5J 451/452)
• Manila – Puerto Princesa – Manila (5J 633/634)
• Manila – Bohol – Manila (5J 619/620)
• Manila – Dumaguete – Manila (5J 623/624)

As with Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific also offered free rebooking for affected passengers, allowing changes within 30 days from the original departure. Passengers who were unable to reschedule were given the option to request refunds or convert their tickets to travel funds.

Passenger Support and Airline Responses

In response to the cancellations, both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific worked diligently to support passengers. Airport personnel were stationed to assist travelers in rebooking their flights, and customer service teams managed communications to ensure everyone was informed of their options.

Travelers affected by the cancellations were reassured that they could either rebook, request a refund, or use the value of their ticket as travel funds for future use. The airlines emphasized their commitment to handling the situation with as little inconvenience to passengers as possible.

The Global Context of the Airbus Advisory

The impact of this advisory was not limited to the Philippines. With up to 6,000 Airbus A320 aircraft affected worldwide, the disruption reached a global scale. Airlines in multiple countries faced similar challenges, grounding flights and adjusting schedules to meet the urgent software update requirements. This situation is a reminder of the interconnectedness of the global aviation industry, where a single technical issue can have wide-reaching consequences.

Though the disruptions were extensive, the overall goal of ensuring the safety of airline operations was prioritized. The collaboration between Airbus, airlines, and aviation regulators helped mitigate potential long-term effects, though the immediate travel disruptions were unavoidable.

Conclusion

The flight cancellations in the Philippines, triggered by a technical advisory from Airbus, led to widespread disruptions within the country’s aviation sector. While the immediate effects were felt most heavily by passengers on domestic flights, the broader context highlighted the importance of maintaining stringent safety standards.

Both Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific worked swiftly to manage the situation, providing affected customers with various options for rebooking, refunds, and travel funds. Despite the inconveniences, the airlines reassured passengers that their safety was the top priority and that the required upgrades were necessary for continued safe air travel.