Travelling From Dubai to Manila: The Latest Flight News and Status

This article is reviewed regularly (on a monthly basis) by Wego 's editorial team to ensure that the content is up to date & accurate.

Updated 20 September 2021

Keeping its residents safe from the coronavirus, the Philippine government has announced a travel ban on countries where the highly transmissible Delta variant has been detected. However, the Philippines authorities have quite recently lifted travel bans from 10 countries which includes the UAE. As such, flights from Dubai to Manila and other destinations in the Philippines have now been reinstated.

Keep reading to know more about who can fly from Dubai to Manila and how.

Can I fly from Dubai to Manila?

You can if you are included in the following categories:

• Filipino nationals
• Non-Filipino/Foreign spouse and minor children or children with special needs of a Filipino national
• Non-Filipino/Foreign parent of a minor Filipino child (18 years old and below) or a child with special needs (regardless of age)
• Former Filipinos (Balikbayan Program), Dual Citizens
• Spouse/Children of Former Filipino Nationals (Balikbayan Program)
• Accredited foreign government and international organization officials and their dependents
• Non-Filipino/Foreign seafarers with 9(c) visa
• Non-Filipino/Foreign nationals in possession of valid certificates
• Non-Filipino/Foreign nationals with an eligible visa
• Investors granted with Special Investor's Lane Authority

Foreign nationals allowed in are those with valid and existing visas or those with entry exemption documents, as well as diplomats. At present, travelling to the Philippines for tourism purposes is still not possible with visa on arrival services still suspended.

Depending on whether you're an OFW (Overseas Filipino Worker) or a non-OFW, you'll also have to complete certain forms and formalities while coming to Manila. You can check them here and here, respectively.

Testing and quarantine requirements

The following regulations apply to those who are eligible for travelling to the Philippines.

Before departure

Eligible international travellers and returning Filipinos wishing to enter the Philippines are required to register their details via the One Health Pass portal. Upon completing the registration, a QR code will be issued and travellers must present said code to the authorities on arrival. All travellers including children must fill out the required form. Travellers must also download and install the Traze app on their devices.

All travellers must also take an RT-PCR test not more than 48 hours before boarding and followed by an on-arrival test at the airport. The on-arrival PCR test will be free of charge for Filipino nationals, while foreign travellers must cover the cost of their PCR test.

After arrival

Travellers from Dubai to Manila, including both OFWs and non-OFWs, and other eligible passengers must take a COVID-19 RT-PCR test upon arrival followed by a period of quarantine regardless of their vaccination status. Those travelling from Dubai are categorized as coming from the yellow list and are thus necessary to comply with a 14-day quarantine period, 10 of which shall be observed at an accredited quarantine hotel/facility, and the remaining days for home quarantine under the supervision of the Local Government Unit of their residence. Should a traveller receive a negative COVID-19 test result after the 10th day, they may continue the remainder of their isolation period at home.

Easing of restrictions for vaccinated travellers

Fully vaccinated travellers to the Philippines arriving from green list countries will only be subjected to a 7-day quarantine in a government hotel. A PCR test will be administered on day five and should the test result is negative they will be released from the facility on the eighth day. Unvaccinated travellers arriving from green list countries must follow the rules for those arriving from yellow destinations.

Flights from Dubai to Manila

Flights from Dubai to Manila have now been reinstated. Daily flights are available serviced by Emirates Airline and Cebu Pacific, while as well thrice-weekly flights are available courtesy of Philippines Airlines. Emirates Arline also services flights to Cebu and Clark with twice-weekly flights. Additionally, Abu Dhabi travellers can also take advantage of Etihad Airways daily flights to Manila.

Apart from the scheduled flights above, Emirates is also set to operate two additional flights in September, solely for Filipino citizens. These flights are designed to accommodate Filipinos looking to return home with requirements including obtaining a negative PCR test 48 hours prior to boarding.

Those who want to get repatriated can email the Philippine Consulate at [email protected] The Google form for repatriation flights is available here. Remember that you must decide to be repatriated once you submit this application. Cancellation of requests or rebooking of flights is not allowed, except in emergency situations.

Cebu Pacific Manila - Dubai September flights cancelled

It's been announced that Cebu Pacific flights 5J 64 (Manila-Dubai) scheduled on September 16-29 and 5J 27 (Dubai -Manila) scheduled on September 15-30 will no longer push through due to 'regulatory restrictions' cited by Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

Cebu Pacific has stated that passengers affected by the flight cancellations are welcome to rebook their travel dates within 60 days at no additional cost. Affected passengers also have the option of storing the cost of their flights in Cebu Pacific's virtual wallet which they can use to either book a new flight or pay for add-ons. This will be valid for up to two years.

Refunds may also be requested but the airline reminds passengers that the process may take up to two months from the date of request.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.