Some flights delayed after Cebu Pacific runway excursion at NAIA

SOME flights were delayed on Tuesday due to a runway excursion at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 involving a Cebu Pacific aircraft.

“Cebu Pacific Flight DG 6112 Naga-Manila flight upon arrival at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA T3) at 11:45 a.m., Manila time, had a slight runway excursion,” the budget carrier said in a statement.

It said all 42 passengers and four crew “safely” deplaned “with no reported injuries.”

“All the affected passengers have been assisted accordingly and have left the airport,” Cebu Pacific noted.

“We are working on normalizing our operations as soon as possible. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience this has caused and we thank you for your kind understanding.”

Meanwhile, flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) said that there would be delays in departures and arrivals because of the incident.

“Due to a runway obstruction at NAIA caused by a disabled aircraft of another airline, there will be delays in flight departures and arrivals,” the airline said in a separate statement.

It said flights from Manila to London, Dammam, Dubai, and Doha were “on hold.”

Flights slated to arrive in Manila (from Ho Chi Minh, Cagayan de Oro, and Iloilo) were diverted to Clark.

The flag carrier also said that some departing flights were able to proceed because an alternate runway was open.

“However, this is not possible for larger aircraft (e.g., B777, A330, A350 widebody aircraft) which are only allowed on the runway… currently blocked,” it added. — Arjay L. Balinbin