Manila: A Philippine Airlines (PAL) plane that turned around after smoke was reported in the cabin on Monday (May 16).
All 82 passengers and four crew members of flight PR 2543 en route to Dumaguete City from Manila are reported safe after the aircraft experienced a “technical” glitch, spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said.
Villaluna told the official news agency that the flight took off at 1:54 pm from Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Shortly after takeoff, it then reported smoke venting into the cabin, prompting the flight crew to turn around and make a “precautionary landing".
The aircraft, a De Havilland Dash 8 Turboprop with registry number RP-C5906, returned to the Manila airport at 2:10 pm.
The aircraft was being operated by PAL Express, the low-cost subsidiary of PAL and based out of NAIA Terminal 2.
The spokesperson said a replacement flight to Dumaguete was arranged, and took off at 4:16 pm, carrying 63 of the 82 passengers who chose to proceed with their trip.
“We affirm that safety is our top priority and that PAL is fully cooperating with the concerned airport and aviation authorities,” she was quoted as saying by the Philippine News Agency.
