Coronavirus: Cebu Pacific grounds planes in response to 'community quarantine'

The airline will cease operations until until Tuesday, April 14

Cebu Pacific is offering Dh30 one-way flights from Dubai to Manila 

Cebu Pacific has announced that it will suspend all flights and close all ticketing offices from Thursday, March 19 until Tuesday, April 14. The airline’s Dubai-Manila route on Wednesday, March 18 will continue as scheduled.

"Cebu Pacific is ensuring the safety of their passengers and operations teams, in support of stricter quarantine measures, land travel restrictions and regulations in place," the airline said in an official statement. It has advised travellers to check their flight status here.

Passengers affected by the changes will receive notifications via the contact details provided when booking their tickets. For customers with flights booked between March 15 and April 14, the airline has waived fee differences and change fees, until June 30. It is also offering a full refund. Travellers voluntarily cancelling flights from Wednesday, April 15 and Thursday, April 30 can also rebook for free.

This follows the implementation of an “enhanced community quarantine” in Luzon, the Philippines' largest and most populous island, home to the country’s capital, Manila. All mass public transportation has been suspended on the island, and residents can only leave their homes for essential items. Only supermarkets, hospitals, medical clinics, pharmacies, banks, food delivery services and water stations will be allowed to remain open.