Jetstar plane veers off NAIA runway

A Jetstar Airways plane bound for Narita in Japan veered off a runway at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Saturday morning.

The plane, an Airbus A320, overshot Runway 1331, according to a report by Luisito Santos on Super Radyo dzBB.

Airbus A320 na eroplano, lumagpas sa bahagi ng runway 1331 sa NAIA ngayong madaling araw; biyahe at airline company ng nasabing eroplano, inaalam pa. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/bs04MDHUgV

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) December 13, 2019

Manila International Airport Authority general manager Ed Monreal told Super Radyo dzBB the plane was about to take off when it veered to the shoulder of Runway 13.

Monreal: Pa-take off po siya [eroplano] nang lumagpas sa shoulder ng runway 13. Nabalahaw siya ngayon sa maiksing runway ng paliparan.

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) December 13, 2019

"Ito po ay Aircraft 321 ng Jetstar Airways papuntang Narita," Monreal said.

According to an incident report of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, the Manila tower said the plane with callsign JJP40 "experienced runway 13/31 excursion upon making 180 degrees turn for departure at time 2:35am while taxiing via taxiway F1 and got stuck at the grassy portion."

Everyone on board the plane, both passengers and crew, were safe, CAAP said.

CAAP Director General Captain Jim Sydiongco and investigators from the CAAP Aircraft Accident Investigation Inquiry Board immediately proceeded to the area to conduct a probe.

The MIAA said three flights were affected following the runway incident:

• Cebu Pacific 5J 580 (Cebu-Manila): diverted to Clark International Airport
• Air Asia Z2 889 (Seoul-Manila): landed at Runway 06/24
• Cebu Pacific 5J 269 (Xiamen-Manila): diverted to Clark International Airport

Runway closed

The MIAA said it closed Runway 13-31 after the incident.

"Runway 13-31 was closed for operations early today after an Airbus A320 jet with 140 passengers and crew onboard made an excursion towards the Runway Safety Area (RSA - grassy area) while positioning for takeoff. All 140 (139 plus 1 infant) passengers and crew deplaned safely and were brought back to NAIA Terminal 1 by shuttle buses," it said in a post on Facebook.

"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 for takeoff. While positioning for takeoff, the aircraft overshot the turn causing the front and right landing gears to veer towards the RSA leaving the front to get imbedded in the soft ground," the MIAA added.

"Based on initial reports, the incident occurred at 2:32 a.m. The MIAA 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 is currently closed for operations with the affected flights using the main runway, Runway 06-24 for the meantime," it said.

At 10:30 a.m., the Jetstar plane has been removed from the runway, according to a report by Mao dela Cruz on Dobol B sa News TV aired on GMA News TV.

UPDATE: Eroplano na bumalahaw sa gilid ng isang runway sa NAIA, naialis na; clearing operation kung saan bumalahaw ang eroplano, nagpapatuloy. | via Mao dela Cruz https://t.co/Jl7zdrja0g

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) December 14, 2019

Clearing operations were still ongoing at the site as of 11 a.m.

The MIAA said the Jetstar plane has been moved to the Lufthansa Technik Aircraft Maintenance Center.

Full operations at NAIA resumed past 11 a.m., according to a report on GMA News TV's Balitanghali.

Delays, cancellations

The MIAA said as of 10 a.m., 11 flights were delayed due to the runway incident.

Cebu Pacific issued an advisory on Saturday that some of its flights have been canceled due to the incident.

The company said affected passengers may have their flights rebooked within 30 days without penalties, refunded in full, or the stored value of the ticket credited in a travel fund for future use.

"We regret any inconvenience this disruption has caused. We appeal for patience and understanding as we try to work amidst limited operating conditions at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport," it added.

Philippine Airlines (PAL), on the other hand, advised its passengers to expect possible delays in their flights due to the temporary closure of Runway 13/31 as a result of the incident.

"All flights are being redirected to the main runway, Runway 06/24, and this will result in longer waiting times as more aircraft line up for take off or landing at the main runway," PAL said in a travel advisory on Saturday.

"We seek the kind understanding of our passengers for any inconvenience that may result from this situation. Rest assured that we will work closely with the airport and aviation authorities to minimize the impact from this runway closure, as they undertake all necessary efforts to remove the disabled aircraft and re-open the runway as soon as possible," the company added.

In a succeeding advisory, PAL said although Runway 13/31 has been reopened and the plane has been removed, delays may still affect their flights.

"Please expect delays in flights as we go through the process of resuming our normal flight departure and arrival schedules," PAL said. —KG, GMA News