Marcos Orders Free Rebooking and Refunds as ASEAN Summit Disrupts 313 Flights

Passengers offered three choices as Manila prepares for visiting leaders

The Department of Transportation has listed 313 flights affected by preparations for the 49th ASEAN Summit, including 215 cancellations and 98 schedule changes, as President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ordered airlines and transport officials to protect passengers from additional fees and penalties.

The department's breakdown for November 13 to 18, 2026, includes 175 domestic cancellations, 80 domestic reschedulings, 40 international cancellations and 18 international reschedulings. Passengers affected by summit flight adjustments may choose free rebooking, a full refund or travel credits for a future journey.

Philippine Airlines has separately confirmed that several domestic and international services to and from Manila will be cancelled or rescheduled between November 14 and 18. Its flight adjustment advisory identifies the summit and related meetings in Manila as taking place on November 16 to 18 and lists affected flights as of 3 p.m. on October 30.

Palace Press Officer and Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro said Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon was coordinating with airlines to implement the president's instruction. The directive calls for passengers to receive assistance without extra charges when summit operations disrupt their flights.

For travelers, the immediate task is to check the exact flight number and date with their airline. Changes extend beyond the main meeting dates because visiting leaders need to arrive before the summit and depart afterward. Security measures may also lengthen the journey to the airport and the time needed to reach the departure gate.

What free rebooking, refunds and travel funds mean

Dizon presented the passenger assistance arrangements at a joint press conference at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines headquarters in Pasay City. He said passengers would be able to select the option that suited their disrupted journey.

Dizon, the transportation secretary, described the three choices as guaranteed:

"All of these options are guaranteed. You can choose to rebook your flight, receive a full refund, or get a travel fund. If you are affected, you are entitled to any of these options," Dizon said.

Free rebooking allows an affected traveler to move the flight without rebooking fees or penalties. A full refund returns the amount paid for the ticket. A travel fund converts that payment into credit that can be used for a future trip.

A passenger who still needs to travel can ask for rebooking, while someone abandoning the journey can choose a refund. Travel credit provides another choice for someone planning to fly later. The government has directed airlines to make the process quick and convenient.

PAL says all three options are available free of charge through its Manage My Booking service. Passengers flying with Cebu Pacific or AirAsia have also been advised to contact their airline directly for updated schedules and assistance. Refund processing times and the detailed conditions attached to replacement flights and travel credits were not specified in the announcements.

How many flights are affected?

The transportation department's total of 313 gives a more detailed picture than the initial warning that more than 300 flights would face disruption. Earlier descriptions referred to more than 300 domestic flights; the department's detailed breakdown identifies 255 domestic services and 58 international services.

Domestic flights therefore account for about 81 percent of the listed disruptions, calculated from 255 out of 313. Cancellations account for about 69 percent, or 215 out of 313, with the remaining 98 flights rescheduled.

Dizon said some services would move to different times rather than be cancelled. For passengers, that means an affected flight may still operate, but its new timing could change airport transfers or onward travel plans.

International passengers also need to check

Dizon initially said no international cancellations were expected, although some delays were possible. The transportation department's detailed list includes 40 international cancellations and 18 international reschedulings, while PAL's advisory confirms that both domestic and international services face cancellations or schedule changes.

PAL's international list includes Manila services to Riyadh, Hong Kong, Melbourne, Sydney, Jinjiang, Xiamen, Singapore and Denpasar in Bali. The airline's listed adjustments therefore reach passengers traveling within Asia as well as those flying between the Philippines, Australia and the Middle East.

PR 654/655 between Manila and Riyadh appears on each day of PAL's November 14 to 18 list. The airline also lists PR 209/210 between Manila and Melbourne on November 14, PR 211/212 between Manila and Sydney on November 16 and 18, and PR 537/538 between Manila and Denpasar on November 18.

PAL's affected flight list does not specify beside each entry whether the service is cancelled or rescheduled. Passengers need to check their booking or direct notification for the change applying to their departure.

Which dates should travelers watch?

November 16 to 18 is the main summit period identified in PAL's official advisory and in the Civil Aeronautics Board's warning about airport operational adjustments. A broader summit schedule has been described as November 13 to 18, while a published airline schedule extends affected domestic services through November 19.

Dizon said the first foreign delegates were expected on November 14 and that disruptions would continue through their arrivals and departures. Travelers should check the dates around the meetings as well as the meeting days themselves.

• October 30, 2026: PAL's affected flight list was current as of 3 p.m.
• November 13: The transportation department's disruption list begins; listed Cebu Pacific services include flights from Iloilo, Cebu and Davao to Manila.
• November 14: The first foreign delegates are expected, and PAL's announced adjustment period begins.
• November 16 to 18: The main summit and related meetings take place in Manila, according to PAL's advisory.
• November 19: A published schedule of affected domestic flights extends through this date.

Domestic changes reach far beyond Manila

PAL's domestic adjustments cover routes connecting Manila with cities across Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao. Destinations on its list include Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Cebu, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Laoag, Legazpi through Daraga, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Tacloban and Zamboanga.

Several routes appear repeatedly. PR 2857 from Manila to Cebu is listed on November 14, 15, 16 and 17. PR 2530 from Cagayan de Oro to Manila and PR 2519 in the opposite direction appear on November 15 through 18. A traveler returning several days after departure may therefore face changes on both parts of the journey.

Cebu Pacific's published entries begin on November 13 with services from Iloilo, Cebu and Davao to Manila. Its November 14 entries include routes to Bacolod, Butuan, Cauayan, Dumaguete, Daraga, General Santos, Laoag, Caticlan, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, Tuguegarao and Zamboanga, among others.

Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia representatives participated in the government coordination meeting. Aviation and Airports Undersecretary Jim C. Sydiongco and CAAP Director General Lieutenant General Raul L. Del Rosario also attended. The transportation department, CAAP and the Civil Aeronautics Board said affected flight details would be published through their official channels.

Why airport and road operations are changing

Ninoy Aquino International Airport is expected to receive most of the visiting foreign leaders. The government is tightening security in Metro Manila and adjusting airport operations to accommodate aircraft carrying delegates, including giving those movements priority.

PAL says passengers should allow extra time because road closures and heavier security screening are possible. Dizon also said preparations covered traffic management along routes used by visiting delegations. A passenger whose flight time stays unchanged may still face a longer trip to the terminal.

The summit preparations follow diplomatic talks with China on November 3, when Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi discussed managing differences before leaders gather in Manila. Chinese Premier Li Qiang is expected to attend the summit.

Dizon compared the expected passenger volume with Undas, when the airport operator recorded about 1.29 million passengers. The department did not provide a numerical forecast for summit passenger traffic. Its practical advice was to check flight status before leaving and allow longer for travel and airport procedures.

Where passengers can get help

Airport assistance counters are planned at NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3, Clark International Airport and Mactan-Cebu International Airport. These give passengers places to seek help when they need information or assistance at the terminal.

The announced locations are:

• NAIA Terminal 1: departure and arrival lobbies.
• NAIA Terminal 2: departure and arrival areas in both the North Wing and South Wing.
• NAIA Terminal 3: after the arrival customs area and at information counters.
• Clark International Airport: the Civil Aeronautics Board booth.
• Mactan-Cebu International Airport: Civil Aeronautics Board booths in the domestic and international areas.

International passengers have been advised to arrive at least three hours before departure. Domestic passengers should also allow additional time for airport procedures. PAL recommends checking in online before the flight and says affected travelers will receive notifications by email and SMS.

Passengers can check their airline's current flight status, review any revised booking details and then arrange their preferred assistance option directly with the carrier. Checking before traveling to the airport can save an unnecessary journey when a flight has been cancelled or moved to another day.

Key Points

• The transportation department lists 313 affected flights: 215 cancellations and 98 reschedulings.
• Marcos has ordered assistance without additional fees or penalties for passengers affected by summit flight disruptions.
• Passengers may choose free rebooking, a full refund or travel credits.
• PAL confirms domestic and international adjustments from November 14 to 18, while other published schedules extend outside that period.
• The main summit meetings are scheduled for November 16 to 18 in Manila.
• Help desks are planned at NAIA Terminals 1, 2 and 3, Clark and Mactan-Cebu airports.
• Travelers should check their exact flight status and allow extra time for road restrictions and security checks.