Stranded in Manila as Middle East Airstrikes Disrupt Global Flights

By Linda Ximba

With the airspace of several Asian countries closed following United States and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, Siphamandla ‘Toytoy’ Baleni and his trainer, Khangelani Jack, have found themselves stranded in the Philippines.

After being stopped in the eighth round by Regie ‘The Filipino Phenom’ Suganob in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, on Saturday, Baleni and Jack spent hours at Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila uncertain about their next move.

“We are unable to get out of Manila due to closed airspace. We have been here for more than 10 hours. The promoter has called to say he is booking us into a hotel while trying to secure another flight out of the country. He wants us to connect somewhere else, not Doha where we were supposed to connect. Maybe we will fly to Sydney or Singapore,” Jack said from Manila.

Mthatha-born Baleni and Jack, who hails from Mdantsane, were scheduled to return to South Africa via Doha, Qatar, on Sunday. However, ongoing airstrikes in the Middle East have disrupted travel routes, delaying their departure.