MANILA -- The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has ordered the closure of the Iloilo International Airport Saturday, October 14, after a Cebu Pacific aircraft overshot the runway Friday night.
In its advisory, CAAP said the operations of the airport would be shut down until 6 p.m. as it extracts the aircraft.
“CAAP is doing its best to extract the aircraft so that flights will be normalized soon,” the national aviation authority said in a statement released Saturday morning.
CAAP assured that all the passengers of the Cebu Pacific airplane are safe and were ferried out to the terminal.
“We ask the public for understanding as ensuring passengers’ safety and security is paramount in maintaining our airports and skies safe for travel,” CAAP said.
A Cebu Pacific plane carrying 180 passengers veered off the runway while landing in Iloilo at 11:10 p.m. Friday, October 13.
Cebu Pacific said in an advisory that Flight 5J 561, bound for Iloilo from Manila, veered to the side of the runway after landing at the Iloilo International Airport. The captain of the aircraft then initiated an evacuation of the passengers.
“Cebu Pacific is working with the authorities to investigate the incident and expedite the re-opening of the airport runway,” the airline stated.
The following Cebu flights were cancelled for the duration of the closure of the airport:
October 13, 2017
5J 467 Manila-Iloilo
October 14, 2017
5J 468 Iloilo-Manila
5J 449/450 Manila-Iloilo-Manila
5J 451/452 Manila-Iloilo-Manila
5J 453/454 Manila-Iloilo-Manila
5J 721/720 Iloilo-Davao-Iloilo
5J 255/256 Iloilo-Singapore-Iloilo
DG 6408/6409 Cebu-Iloilo-Cebu
5J 447/448 Manila-Iloilo-Manila
5J 467 Manila-Iloilo
5J 457/458 Manila-Iloilo-Manila
5J247/248 Iloilo-General Santos-Iloilo
5J165 Iloilo-Cebu
October 15, 2017
5J451/452 Manila-Iloilo-Manila
5J453/454 Manila-Iloilo-Manila
5J457/458 Manila-Iloilo-Manila
5J468 Iloilo-Manila
5J348/347 Davao-Iloilo-Davao
DG6408/6409 Cebu-Iloilo-Cebu
Cebu Pacific assured that affected passengers may rebook their flights for travel within 30 days from original departure date; reroute to alternate stations -- Roxas, Bacolod or Kalibo -- for domestic flights; Cebu or Manila for the flights to and from Singapore; or opt for a full refund or travel fund. (PNA)