Manila: The Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) has temporarily suspended the acceptance of international outbound mail items bound for 35 countries due to the closure of regional airspace at key transit hubs in the Middle East.

According to Philippines News Agency, the suspension affects letters, parcels, and Express Mail Service (EMS) destined for countries whose mail routes pass through Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Doha, Qatar. "The suspension is a precautionary measure resulting from regional airspace closures in key transit hubs - specifically Dubai, UAE, and Doha, Qatar - following recent military escalations in the Middle East," PHLPost stated. "These closures have disrupted primary air transport routes used by PHLPost, its international partners, and airline partners."

Among the affected destinations are Austria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Cyprus, Denmark, and Egypt. Also included in the suspension are Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, India, Iran, Ireland, and Israel. Mail services to Italy, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Maldives, Morocco, the Netherlands, Nigeria, and Oman are likewise temporarily halted. Other countries covered are Pakistan, Qatar, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Saudi Arabia (Dammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh), Switzerland, and the UAE (Dubai).

The agency did not indicate how long the suspension will remain in effect but assured the public that updates will be issued once normal operations resume. "PHLPost is closely coordinating with international postal administrations and customs authorities to ensure the safe handling and movement of mail items and to facilitate the gradual restoration and full resumption of services until further notice," it said. PHLPost advised affected clients to regularly check its official communication channels for further announcements.