PAL flight makes emergency landing at Tokyo airport
A Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight bound for Los Angeles was diverted to Tokyo-Haneda Airport after one of two air conditioning units emitted smoke inside the cabin.
The Boeing 777 which left Manila on Wednesday, landed safely around 3:40 a.m. on Thursday, Japan time.
Pictures shared on social media showed the passengers covering their noses and mouths with wet towels provided by flight attendants.
The 355 passengers and 18 crew disembarked safely, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon later said at a press briefing in Manila.
He instructed PAL, through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) and the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), to explain the incident regarding the diverted flight and ensure compensation for affected passengers.
Dizon also instructed Caap to investigate the incident.
The CAB issued a show-cause order to PAL vice president for legal affairs Maria Clara de Castro to explain within the day why there were no PAL ground personnel or transport support to help the passengers.
