A PHILIPPINE Airlines (PAL) flight for Manila diverted to Francisco Bangoy International Airport, also known as the Davao International Airport, minutes after take-off due to technical issues.

Philippine Airlines flight PR1816 departed Davao at 4:34 p.m. on January 14, 2023 and re-landed at 5:47 p.m.

Aviation Updates Philippines (AUP) initially reported that the flight, which was being served by an Airbus A321, "stopped climb shortly after departure."

"We confirm that our Davao to Manila flight PR1816 returned safely to Davao Airport after experiencing a technical issue," Ma. Cielo Villaluna, PAL Spokesperson, said.

Based on the plane's recorded flight path on Flightradar24, an air traffic monitoring app, the plane diverted back to Davao International Airport when it was already over Davao del Norte and was in a holding pattern over Talikud Island before re-landing.

Villaluna added the plane carrying 199 passengers landed smoothly despite the technical issues.

PAL has yet to disclose further details on the incident.

"The aircraft situation is currently being addressed by our technical team. Please standby for more updates," she said. RJL