Kalibo airport operations disrupted as plane overshoots runway

Operations at the Kalibo International Airport in Aklan province were disrupted before noon Monday after an arriving plane overshot the runway, a report of radio dzBB said.   No one was reported hurt as the AirPhil Express plane managed to stop within the airport runway's concrete portion at about 10:40 a.m.   "Lumampas siya sa dulo, according to the airport manager, mga about 10 to 20 meters sa dulo. Nasa concrete naman na portion na overrun," Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines OIC Capt. Napoleon Garcia said in an interview on dzBB radio.

A separate report on dzBB's Kalibo affiliate said the plane had 135 passengers including crew.   Garcia said they are now investigating the incident.   Witnesses said smoke was seen coming from the plane's tires, but Garcia said this was "normal" as the plane was braking.   "Katakot-takot na brake apply mo riyan. Maswerte pa rin sila, usually pag ganyang sobrang brake puputok ang gulong," he said.   Garcia also said the incident disrupted the airport's operations because the runway had to be closed until the plane could be removed. Normal ops   Meanwhile, AirPhil Express senior vice president for marketing Freddy Herrera said AirPhil Express operations remained normal for Monday.   He admitted, however, that there will be a delay in flights to and from Kalibo "until we are able to clear the runway."   Flights cancelled   Another air carrier, Cebu Pacific, canceled two flights between Manila and Kalibo due to the incident.   "Cebu Pacific flights 5J-339 (and) 340 (Manila to Kalibo to Manila) are cancelled due to runway closure, because of another airline’s aircraft blocking the Kalibo Airport runway. Guests are being accommodated on flights to alternative airports," it said on its Facebook account.   It said it may also mount an extra flight to Kalibo, depending on when the runway is reopened.   "We hope for your understanding as this is beyond our control," it said. - VVP, GMA News