THE operations at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport returned to normal four hours after a commercial plane maneuvered off the runway at 6:59 p.m. Friday, August 4.
In a notice posted on its Facebook page, Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA) said the Airbus 330 aircraft used for Cebu Pacific Flight 5J570 (Cebu to Manila route) got stuck in a grassy and muddy portion as it tried to maneuver on the runway.
The aircraft contained 435 passengers who were all deplaned together with the flight’s crew.
The passengers all safely returned to Manila around 5:30 a.m. Saturday, August 5, Cebu Pacific Air said in its travel advisory.
No injuries were reported following the incident.
MCIAA general manager and Chief Executive Officer Steve Yuhico Dicdican, who led the rescue, said they had few difficulties in rescuing the aircraft since it rained in the afternoon.
“But because of the cooperation of everyone involved, we did it at the soonest possible time,” Dicdican added.
The airport was forced to close the runway and seven flights were diverted because of the incident.
At 10:52 p.m., the runway had been cleared and reopened to air traffic.
Hours prior the incident, the MCIAA issued a notice informing the riding public of the airport’s runway closure for six hours on August 11 in preparation for its repair.
The runway closure will start from 2:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.
The runway closure, MCIAA said, is for the preliminary works in order to commence the second half of its repairs.
MCIA urged the riding public with flights scheduled on August 11 to get in touch with their preferred or booked airline for any potential change in their travel plans. (Jo Ann Sablad/SunStar Philippines)
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