MANILA (Updated) — A Philippine Airlines (PAL) plane en route to Haneda airport in Tokyo, with 235 passengers on board, had to return to Manila's airport 20 minutes into the flight after the crew detected smoke in the cabin.
Authorities said landed safely at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Pasay City and there were no reports of injury.
Officials said fire fighters and rescue teams were dispatched Monday, but the plane landed without incident.
Cielo Villaluna, the airline's spokeswoman, said the A340-300 aircraft with 222 passengers and 13 crew members returned to Manila "due to a technical concern."
"The plane is undergoing an operational assessment to determine the technical concerns that led to its return to the airport," the airline said.
Villaluna said the plane is being examined to determine why it had to turn back and the cause of the smoke was not known. (AP/ Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/Sunnex)
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