Naia runway’s uneven surface halts taxiing PAL plane

Updated 3 a.m. January 30

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine Airlines (PAL) plane was forced to stop on a runway at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) on Tuesday evening after running into an uneven surface, momentarily interrupting the airport operations.

According to Michelle Arcega, Naia public relations assistant, the obstruction caused the temporary closure of runway 13-31 at 6:40 p.m.

Meanwhile, Cielo Villaluna, PAL corporate communications manager, told INQUIRER.net in a text message that the flight PR353, which is a Macau-to-Manila flight, touched down at 6:38 p.m. at the NAIA runway.

But, as it was traversing a rapid exit taxiway, one of the tires of the plane  hit an “uneven taxiway surface.”

Arcega said the runway closure delayed the following flights:

• PG 624 Bangkok-Manila
• PR 182 Davao- Manila
• 5J 654 Tacloban-Manila
• 5J 648 Puerta Princesa-Manila
• 5J 330 Legazpi-Manila

The runway was then reopened at 7:20 p.m. after the plane was cleared by a tow truck.

Arcega added that the interrupted flights had already safely landed in their respective runways. /atm