Travel Disruption in Southeast Asia as Over 35 Flights Are Cancelled in the Philippines Including Sky Angkor, Philippine Airlines, and Cebgo Affecting Routes to Bangkok, Sydney, Macau, Manila, and More
Published on
October 27, 2025
A total of 38 flights were cancelled across Cambodia and the Philippines this week, creating widespread disruptions for passengers flying to Bangkok, Sydney, Macau, Boracay, Siargao, Iloilo, Bacolod, Busuanga, Basco, Calbayog, Laguindingan, and Cebu. The affected routes span international and domestic destinations, with cancellations reported from Phnom Penh’s Techo International Airport, Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Cebu’s Mactan-Cebu International Airport, and Laguindingan International Airport.
These widespread disruptions highlight the fragility of regional airline operations in Southeast Asia, particularly during high-demand travel periods. Below is a detailed breakdown of the cancelled flights across all affected airports.
AirportAirlineFlight IDsAircraft TypeDestination(s)Total CancellationsTecho International Airport (Phnom Penh)Sky Angkor AirlinesSWM672, SWM674, SWM678, SWM387A320Bangkok (BKK), Macau (MFM)21Mactan-Cebu International AirportCebgo AirlinesGAP2359, GAP2680, GAP2295, GAP2653, GAP2382, GAP2380DH8BCaticlan, Busuanga, Laguindingan, Catarman, Siargao, Iloilo6Manila Ninoy Aquino International AirportPhilippine Airlines, Cebgo AirlinesPAL211, GAP2147, GAP2129, GAP2139, GAP2965, GAP2905, GAP2971, GAP2932, GAP2457, GAP2018, GAP2014, GAP2919, GAP2923, GAP2671A320, DH8B, A333Sydney, Iloilo, Bacolod, Busuanga, Antique, Siargao, Basco, General Santos, Cauayan, Tuguegarao, Bicol, Calbayog14Laguindingan International AirportCebgo AirlinesGAP2296DH8BCebu1
Cambodia Faces Heavy Flight Cancellations to Bangkok and Macau
Phnom Penh’s Techo International Airport reported the highest number of cancellations this week, with 21 flights grounded by Sky Angkor Airlines. The affected flights included the daily services SWM672, SWM674, and SWM678—operated using Airbus A320 aircraft—connecting Phnom Penh to Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Flights were cancelled consecutively from Monday through Sunday, affecting both morning and evening schedules. This prolonged disruption left passengers traveling between Cambodia and Thailand facing major delays and limited rebooking options. In addition to the Bangkok routes, Sky Angkor Airlines also cancelled flight SWM387 to Macau International Airport on Thursday, affecting travelers heading to one of Asia’s busiest entertainment and casino hubs.
Industry observers note that repeated cancellations on the same routes suggest potential operational or maintenance-related issues rather than weather disruptions. Cambodia’s aviation authority has yet to issue an official statement, but sources indicate that Sky Angkor Airlines may be undergoing internal scheduling adjustments due to aircraft availability constraints.
Philippines Experiences Widespread Domestic and International Flight Disruptions
In the Philippines, cancellations were reported at three major airports, disrupting both domestic and international routes.
Cancellations at Mactan-Cebu International Airport
Cebgo Airlines, a subsidiary of Cebu Pacific, cancelled six regional flights from Mactan-Cebu International Airport. The affected routes included Caticlan (Boracay), Busuanga (Palawan), Laguindingan, Catarman, Siargao, and Iloilo—key destinations that are vital for tourism and business connectivity.
The cancelled flights, operated by De Havilland Dash 8 (DH8B) aircraft, were scheduled between Thursday and Monday. With several of these destinations being island provinces, the cancellations stranded hundreds of domestic travelers and disrupted holiday plans for local and foreign tourists.
Airline representatives have cited “operational constraints” but have not confirmed whether the issue stems from technical maintenance or scheduling bottlenecks. Cebu’s tourism-dependent routes are particularly sensitive to such disruptions, often affecting hotel bookings and local economic activity.
Disruptions at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport
The country’s busiest airport, Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport, faced a series of cancellations involving both Philippine Airlines and Cebgo Airlines. Philippine Airlines cancelled its long-haul Sydney-bound flight (PAL211), disrupting international passengers connecting between Australia and the Philippines.
Cebgo Airlines, meanwhile, grounded 13 domestic flights covering key destinations such as Iloilo, Bacolod, Busuanga, Siargao, Basco, Antique, Tuguegarao, General Santos, and Bicol. The affected flights operated between Thursday and Saturday, many of which were scheduled during peak weekend travel hours.
The cancellation of multiple regional routes from Manila underscores how operational issues in one airline can ripple through an interconnected domestic network. Travel experts suggest that aircraft rotation shortages—common in low-cost carriers—could be contributing to these recurring issues.
Cancellation at Laguindingan International Airport
At Laguindingan International Airport in Mindanao, a single Cebgo flight (GAP2296) to Cebu was cancelled on Friday morning. While minor compared to other airports, the cancellation still contributed to reduced inter-island connectivity, particularly for passengers relying on short regional hops to access business hubs in the Visayas region.
Impact on Passengers and Regional Travel
The cancellations across both countries have left thousands of passengers scrambling to rearrange their travel plans. Many travelers reported last-minute notifications, limited refund options, and delays in rebooking due to high passenger volume. The majority of affected flights were on short-haul routes, emphasizing the operational pressures on low-cost and regional airlines during the post-pandemic travel rebound.
Passenger frustration has been compounded by inconsistent communication from airlines. Some travelers took to social media to express dissatisfaction with the lack of timely updates and unclear rebooking policies. Others highlighted the economic ripple effect—missed business meetings, cancelled holidays, and disrupted cargo schedules.
Possible Causes Behind the Wave of Cancellations
While no official unified statement has been issued, analysts believe the disruptions stem from a combination of factors:
- Aircraft maintenance backlogs – Carriers in Southeast Asia have faced shortages of spare parts and grounded aircraft awaiting maintenance.
- Crew shortages – Many airlines continue to struggle with staffing gaps following the pandemic recovery phase.
- High seasonal demand – Increased passenger load during holidays often exposes vulnerabilities in scheduling and fleet management.
- Weather-related constraints – Although not the primary cause this week, localized weather disturbances can compound operational stress.
The repeated cancellations on consistent flight IDs—especially those connecting Phnom Penh to Bangkok—suggest internal scheduling problems or limited aircraft rotations rather than external disruptions.
What Passengers Should Do
Experts recommend passengers monitor airline notifications closely and verify real-time flight statuses before heading to the airport. Travelers affected by cancellations should also check their eligibility for refunds or rebookings under airline passenger protection policies. In the Philippines, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) mandates that airlines provide care and assistance, including meals, lodging, or re-accommodation, in cases of flight disruptions beyond passengers’ control.
The Bigger Picture
The string of cancellations across Cambodia and the Philippines underscores a regional aviation ecosystem still recovering from pandemic-era setbacks. While air travel demand has rebounded sharply, operational resilience hasn’t caught up, leaving carriers vulnerable to cascading disruptions.
As airlines expand their route networks, they face mounting pressure to maintain consistent schedules and service reliability. Until systemic issues such as maintenance capacity, staffing, and coordination improve, travelers in Southeast Asia may continue facing similar challenges in the months ahead.
