Dizon to PAL: Explain cause of emergency landing in Japan

Metro Manila, Philippines - The government wants flag carrier Philippine Airlines to explain the reason behind an emergency landing of its aircraft in Japan due to smoke from an air conditioning unit.

On Thursday, the airline said its Boeing 777 (RPC 7782) bound for Los Angeles, USA on Wednesday, April 9, was diverted to Haneda Airport in Japan and landed safely at 3:30 am (local time).

It said the aircraft was assigned a disembarkation gate at 10 am. It was unclear whether the passengers waited inside the airplane for 6.5 hours.

PAL said flight PR102 had 359 passengers and 18 crew members.

In a press briefing, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said he ordered the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Civil Aeronautics Board to require the airline to explain the cause of flight diversion.

He also directed the CAAP to carry out an investigation.

Dizon said PAL should compensate the affected passengers.

“Philippine Airlines prioritizes safety above all else and is fully cooperating with the relevant airport and aviation authorities,” the airline said in a statement.