Saudi Airlines plane veers off NAIA runway; no one hurt

FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–A jetliner of Saudi Airlines bound for Riyadh veered off the runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Tuesday night as its landing gear got stuck in the mud right after a heavy downpour.

The incident prompted authorities to deplane passengers aboard the Saudi Airlines flight 871 and bus them back to the Terminal 1. At least 11 flights, both departing and arriving, were affected due to the blocked runway.

No one was reported hurt in the incident.

According to the Manila International Airport Authority, Saudi Airlines’ Boeing 744 was taxiing its way for takeoff on Runway 24 of the NAIA at 7 p.m. when it swerved and slightly veered off, causing its landing gear to be stuck in the mud.

The aircraft was supposed to depart NAIA at 6:10 p.m.

Shortly after, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines issued a Notice to Airmen (Notam) allowing only smaller aircrafts like Boeing 737 and Airbus 320 to use the blocked runway.

“But the Notam will likely be lifted at 10 p.m. as soon as the aircraft is removed from the runway,” Eric Apolonio, spokesperson for the CAAP told the Inquirer.

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