The Ninoy Aquino International Airport Runway 13-31 was closed yesterday after an Jetstar Asia Airbus A320 jet with 140 passengers and crew onboard veered off while positioning for takeoff.
All passengers and crew deplaned safely and were brought back to NAIA Terminal 1 by shuttle buses.
Jetstar Asia flight GK40 from Manila to Narita, Japan pushed back from the NAIA Terminal 1 at 2:08 a.m. and headed for Runway 13-31 for takeoff.
While positioning for takeoff, the aircraft overshot the turn, causing the front and right landing gears to veer towards the grassy part of the runway safety area, leaving the front imbedded on the soft ground.
Based on initial reports, the incident occurred at 2:32 a.m.
The Manila International Airport Authority Fire and Rescue and Operations teams immediately proceeded to the site to assist the passengers and crew.
With the disabled aircraft blocking parts of the runway, Runway 13-31 was closed for operations with the affected flights using the main runway, Runway 06-24, for the meantime.
Airport General Manager Ed Monreal and CAAP Director General Jim Sydiongco personally supervised aircraft removal operations.
“As of this time, the aircraft is now out of the grassy area and being prepared for towing to a nearby aircraft maintenance center,” Monreal said. “Simultaneous clearing of the runway and repair of damaged runway lights are now in progress. We hope to resume operations soon,” Monreal added.
The CAAP issued a Notice to Airmen stating that Runway 13-31 is closed for aircraft operations due to a stalled aircraft.
CAAP Aircraft Accident Investigation Inquiry Board was on site to determine the cause of the incident.
At the time of incident, three Manila-bound flights were diverted to the Clark International Airport in Pampanga.
These were Cebu Pacific flight 5J269 from Xiamen, China, Cebu Pacific flight 5J580 from Cebu, and Air Asia flight Z2889 from Seoul, South Korea. All three flights are now in Manila.
Flight operations in NAIA continued notwithstanding the temporary closure of Runway 13-31 to flight movements.
As of 10 a.m. yesterday, 11 flights were delayed due to the incident.
Monreal warned airline operators not to take advantage of the situation to unnecessarily cancel flights causing inconvenience to passengers.
Runway 13-31 resumed operations before noon and a Notice of Cancellation to airmen was later issued. (Ariel Fernandez)
