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MANILA — The country’s flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) has acknowledged that one of its small passenger aircraft, an 86-seater De Havilland Dash 8-400 NG, has overshot a runway in Coron, Palawan.
In an official statement that PAL released, SDN – SciTech & Digital News learned that the incident happened on July 14, Sunday, with the aircraft departing Mactan Airport at 1:44 p.m. and landed in Busuanga Airport in Coron at 2:51 p.m., overshooting the runway.
Coron is one of the popular destinations on the island of Palawan, in particular, and in the Philippines, in general. Palawan tourist sites are some of the world’s most popular, taking in local and foreign tourists.
“As of 3:40 p.m., all 53 passengers and 4 flight crew members have been deplaned safely, with no injuries reported,” PAL said in its statement.
The country’s flag carrier is owned and operated by PAL Holdings (PSE: PAL), which is part of a group of companies that business tycoon Lucio Tan owns (per Wikipedia).
“We appreciate the patience and understanding of the passengers of flight PR2680 and those affected by the subsequent disruptions,” the airlines added.
In a related report, Eric Apolonio, spokesperson of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, according to Inquirer.net, told members of the media the cause of the PAL aircraft’s overshooting the runway was “hydroplaning”, meaning that it’s when the tiress of aircraft “rides up on a thin surface of water that makes it lose contact with the pavement, resulting in a sudden loss of control.”
PAL assured the flying public “that your safety is our utmost priority, and we continuously strive to maintain the highest standards of safety with all the necessary precautions in place.”
In a more welcoming news, PAL Vice President and Spokesperson Cielo Villaluna has announced recently the opening of the airlines’ 200-sqm Transit Lounge at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.
She said the facility was launched with the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).
The Transit Lounge can accommodate up to 80 passengers.
“So, if you are transiting through NAIA 1 to connect to your next flight, you can enjoy this lounge — free of charge,”
Villaluna said.
Passengers at the lounge will be treated to comfortable seats, charging stations, comfort rooms, shower rooms, snacks/beverage, and TV viewing.
The PAL official emphasized the Transit Lounge’s significance as representing the airlines’ “continuous improvements in passenger experience at our country’s main gateway.”
Present at the launch included MIAA General Manager Eric Ines, PAL President and COO Capt. Stanley K. Ng, PAL EVP Atty. Carlos Luis Fernandez, and Bureu of Immigration and Deportation Commissioner Atty. Norman Tansingco.
PAL partnered with MIAA in putting up the Transit Lounge at NAIA Terminal 1. — EDD K. USMAN (/)