Saudi Arabia-bound plane returns to PH due to technical issue — CAAP

A passenger plane headed to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia with 263 persons onboard returned to Manila due to a technical issue, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said on Thursday.

In a statement, CAAP said they received a report from the Manila Area Control Center indicating that Saudia Flight SVA 871 was diverting back to Manila due to a weather radar malfunction.

The aircraft landed safely at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 1:25 a.m. 

According to CAAP, the plane was already parked at NAIA Terminal 1’s remote parking. The affected passengers stayed in a hotel.

“CAAP is closely coordinating with the airline and concerned aviation authorities to ensure public safety and to maintain operational readiness at all times,” the agency said. —Joviland Rita/RF, GMA Integrated News