CAAP suspends Busuanga Airport operations after plane stalls on runway
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) temporarily suspended the operations at Busunga Airport in Palawan on Friday, Sept. 5, when a commercial plane of the Philippine Airlines (PAL) encountered a "technical issue" while on the runway.
CAAP Director General Raul Del Rosario said a notice to airmen (NOTAM) was issued after PAL Express flight GAP2961 from Manila landed at Busuanga Airport at 7:47 a.m. but was unable to vacate the runway due to a technical issue. No specific detail as to the cause of the incident was given by the agency.
The NOTAM was effective from 9:13 a.m. to 2 p.m.
CAAP said nine flights were cancelled, one was diverted, and one was delayed from CebGo and PAL Express as a result of the incident.
Del Rosario said a coordination was made by CAAP with PAL Express and the Philippine Air Force (PAF) to immediately remove the aircraft from the runway.
He also instructed airport management to expedite the clearing process and work closely with airlines to provide passenger assistance and necessary flight adjustments.
“The safety of passengers remains our top priority. We are taking all necessary measures to ensure the runway is cleared safely and that normal operations can resume without delay,” he said.