DOTr asks PAL to explain Haneda Airport incident

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has asked Philippine Airlines (PAL) to explain the incident involving its flight from Manila which made an emergency landing at Haneda Airport in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday morning after smoke was reportedly detected inside the cabin.

In statement, the DOTr said Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon directed the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) to issue a show cause order to PAL for the flag carrier to explain the diversion of flight PR102 and ensure compensation of the affected passengers.

Dizon also gave a directive to CAAP  to investigate the said incident. 

PAL flight PR102, which departed Manila on April 9 for Los Angeles was diverted to Haneda Airport due to smoke emitting from its air conditioning unit.

All passengers of the flight are safe following the incident, according to the DOTr, citing PAL’s statement.

The Transportation Department said it has already coordinated with Haneda Airport to provide support for the affected passengers, and ensure their safe disembarkation.

GMA News Online has reached out to PAL for comment.

In a separate statement, PAL said that “all 359 passengers and 18 flight deck and cabin crew aboard Philippine Airlines flight PR102 have safely disembarked from the aircraft.”

“Our ground operations team at Tokyo Haneda Airport is providing full support, including meals, baggage assistance, and arranging alternative flights to help passengers continue their journey,” the airline said.

“PR102 was en route to Los Angeles, having departed from Manila on April 9 (Wednesday), but was diverted to Tokyo Haneda Airport following initial reports of smoke coming from one of the aircraft’s two air conditioning units. The flight landed safely at Haneda at 3:30 a.m. local time. Following several requests, the aircraft was finally assigned a disembarkation gate at 10 a.m.,” it said.

The flag carrier said it and is fully cooperating with the relevant airport and aviation authorities. —Ted Cordero/RF, GMA Integrated News