AN aircraft of the Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) veered off the runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) on Monday afternoon. All 420 passengers and crew on board were unharmed and the runway had been cleared.
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Ed Monreal Monreal assured the public that the situation is now under control and that recovery operations that were carried out followed international standards on aircraft recovery.
The MIAA immediately dispatched the airport’s Fire and Rescue Division which swiftly responded to an emergency call of the said Saudia Airlines plane after landing.
Monreal, citing reports from the ground, said that the SV862 aircraft landed at Runway 06-24 at 1:47 p.m. when its six right landing gears veered off the pavement at the end portion of Taxiway Charlie onto the grassy portion while enroute to its parking bay in NAIA Terminal 1 causing the wheels to get stuck in the process.
The total of 420 passengers and crew who were all safe and unhurt were shuttled from the site going to Terminal 1 where passengers are waiting for their baggage as of this writing.
No flights in the four NAIA Terminals were affected as a result of the incident and flights continue as scheduled even as other portions of Taxiway Charlie remain in use by other flights.
Public affairs division chief Ma. Connie Bungag said that Monreal and CAAP Director -General Capt. Jim Sydiongco were on site supervising recovery operations. Other MIAA units present were operations, security and medical teams.
As of writing, the aircraft has been recovered and positioned at the paved portion of the taxiway in preparation for being towed. (Baby Cuevas)
