CHINA Southern Airlines is planning to suspend some flights to the Philippines in anticipation of an expected drop in cross-straits traffic, due to the ongoing territorial standoff between Beijing and Manila (TTG Asia e-Daily, May 14, 2012).

The Chinese carrier will halve its twice-daily Guangzhou-Manila services to a daily flight on certain days, during the period May 26 – June 30, according to a report by Xinhua News Agency.

The two countries have been locked in a tense standoff at Scarborough Shoal since April 10, when Philippine authorities attempted to curb Chinese fishing activities in the area.