The order affects the most commonly used jets in the country, prompting immediate cancellations and warnings of further delays across Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, and AirAsia.
What it means for travelers
The Airbus directive hits the aircraft type most used in Philippine domestic networks, making further short-notice delays likely over the next two days.
Airlines expect smoother operations once the software rollback is completed across their fleets.
Cebu Pacific announces cancellations
Cebu Pacific, the country’s biggest airline by fleet size and volume, cancelled 31 round-trip flights on Nov. 29, grounding services across major domestic destinations including Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Zamboanga, Bacolod, and Bohol.
The airline said it is rushing the required software update and has deployed more airport staff to help passengers.
Affected travelers may rebook for free, convert fares to a travel fund, or request a refund.
PAL cautions travelers on possible rolling delays
Philippine Airlines, which canceled 16 flights, said schedule changes are likely as it complies with the mandatory rollback.
The flag carrier urged passengers to monitor email and text advisories closely, stressing that safety remains its top priority.
AirAsia announces flight delays
AirAsia Aviation Group, which announced 11 flight delays in the Philippines, confirmed it started software rollbacks on Nov. 29, adding that the directive does not affect its A330 fleet.
“As the required software rollback affects airlines globally operating the same aircraft type,
AirAsia is taking all necessary steps to comply swiftly and responsibly. We want to assure our
guests that safety is, and will always be, our top priority,” said AirAsia Philippines CEO Capt. Suresh Banga.
Cancelled Cebu Pacific flights (round-trip pairs):
• 5J899 / 900 – Manila–Caticlan–Manila
• 5J2511 / 2502 – Manila–Cebu–Manila
• 5J261 / 262 – Iloilo–Puerto Princesa–Iloilo
• 5J4761 / 4760 – Puerto Princesa–Davao–Puerto Princesa
• 5J4736 / 4737 – Davao–Caticlan–Davao
• 5J4768 / 4769 – Davao–Tacloban–Davao
• 5J451 / 452 – Manila–Iloilo–Manila
• 5J633 / 634 – Manila–Puerto Princesa–Manila
• 5J619 / 620 – Manila–Bohol–Manila
• 5J623 / 624 – Manila–Dumaguete–Manila
• 5J659 / 660 – Manila–Tacloban–Manila
• 5J703 / 704 – Manila–Dipolog–Manila
• 5J373 / 374 – Manila–Roxas–Manila
• 5J599 / 600 – Cebu–Davao–Cebu
• 5J997 / 998 – Manila–General Santos–Manila
• 5J965 / 966 – Manila–Davao–Manila
• 5J321 / 322 – Manila–Legazpi–Manila
• 5J3093 / 3094 – Manila–Butuan–Manila
• 5J395 / 396 – Manila–Cagayan De Oro–Manila
• 5J597 / 598 – Cebu–Davao–Cebu
• 5J993 / 994 – Manila–General Santos–Manila
• 5J977 / 978 – Manila–Davao–Manila
• 5J473 / 474 – Manila–Bacolod–Manila
• 5J504 / 505 – Manila–Tuguegarao–Manila
• 5J771 / 772 – Manila–Pagadian–Manila
• 5J643 / 644 – Manila–Puerto Princesa–Manila
• 5J847 / 848 – Manila–Zamboanga–Manila
• 5J383 / 384 – Manila–Cagayan De Oro–Manila
• 5J463 / 464 – Manila–Iloilo–Manila
• 5J785 / 786 – Manila–Butuan–Manila
PAL / PAL Express cancelled flights
• PR 1781 / 1782 – Manila–Puerto Princesa–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
Single-leg cancellations
• PR 1845 – Manila to Cebu
• PR 1880 – Cebu to Manila
AirAsia Philippines’ flight delays
• Z2 188 – Manila–Osaka – 13:00 → 16:45
• Z2 189 – Osaka–Manila – 17:30 → 22:00
• Z2 285 – Manila–Dammam – 9:45 → 13:25
• Z2 286 – Dammam–Manila – 14:15 → 17:50
• Z2 7710 – Cebu–Macau – 8:30 → 11:20
• Z2 7711 – Macau–Cebu – 11:45 → 14:35
• Z2 764 – Cebu–Manila – 10:30 → 11:55
• Z2 782 – Cebu–Manila – 11:35 → 12:59
• Z2 783 – Manila–Cebu – 13:30 → 15:00
• Z2 521 – Cebu–Davao – 15:30 → 16:35
• Z2 522 – Davao–Cebu – 17:00 → 18:05
—Edited by Miguel R. Camus
