Plane bound for Japan veers off Naia runway

A Jetstar Asia Airbus A320 passenger aircraft is seen stuck after it rolled into the grass prior to taking off at the international airport in Manila on December 14, 2019. – More than a dozen flights were cancelled and many others delayed as a passenger jet rolled into the grass just before takeoff at Manila airport December 14, shutting off one of only two runways at the Philippines’ busiest gateway, officials said. (Photo by STR / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — A plane bound for Japan veered off a runway at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) while preparing for take-off in the early hours of Saturday.

A statement released by the Manila International Airport Authority (Miaa) said the Jetstar Japan flight GK40 bound for Narita overshot the turn, causing the front and right landing gears to veer off towards the runway safety area at 2:32 a.m.

An earlier statement by the Miaa identified the involved aircraft as a Jetstar Asia plane.

All 140 passengers on board were declared safe and were brought back to Naia Terminal 1, the Miaa added.

As of 10:30 a.m., the Miaa said the plane is now at an aircraft maintenance center and clearing operations are now in progress.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, meanwhile, issued a notice stating that runways 13-31 were closed for operations because of the incident.

During the time of the incident, Miaa said three Manila-bound flights were diverted to the Clark International Airport in Pampanga:

Cebu Pacific flight 5J269 from Xiamen

Cebu Pacific flight 5J580 from Cebu

Air Asia flight Z2889 from Seoul

Due to the incident, Cebu Pacific also issued an advisory saying the following flights were have been canceled:

5J487 Manila-Bacolod

5J488 Bacolod-Manila

5J901 Manila-Caticlan (Boracay)

5J902 Caticlan (Boracay)-Manila

5J553 Manila-Cebu

5J554 Cebu-Manila

5J325 Manila-Legazpi

5J326 Legazpi-Manila

5J506 Manila-Tuguegarao

5J507 Tuguegarao-Manila

5J659 Manila-Tacloban

5J660 Tacloban-Manila

5J379  Manila-Cagayan de Oro (Laguindingan)

5J380 Cagayan de Oro (Laguindingan)-Manila

Meanwhile, AirAsia, has issued a statement assuring its passengers that no flights have been cancelled because of the incident.

As of 10 a.m., a total of 11 flights have been delayed due to the incident, the Miaa said.

Edited by MUF