Korean Air Flight KE631 with 173 people on board, slid off the runway while landing at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, causing slight injuries and shutting down the country’s second busiest airport, authorities said Monday.
All 162 passengers and 11 crew of the plane from Incheon were evacuated safely after the Airbus A330 aircraft overshot the runway on Sunday, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) said in a report.
Minor injuries were treated at the airport clinic.
Glenn Napuli, the airport’s assistant general manager, said the airport would be shut down until midnight, and authorities were working to resume flights within the day.
“We are hoping by tomorrow we can remove the aircraft,” Napuli said in a briefing.
An investigation was underway into the cause of the accident, Napuli said.
Korean Air president Woo Kee-hong has apologized over the incident and vowed a thorough investigation by both Philippine and Korean authorities.
“We always prioritize safety in all of our operations, and we truly regret the stress and inconvenience brought to our passengers,” Woo said in a statement posted on the company website.
In 2018, a Xiamen Airline aircraft slid off the runway at Manila airport, forcing more than a hundred flight cancellations until the Chinese plane was pulled from the mud after more than a day.
Monday’s closure resulted in the delay and cancellation of more than 100 flights of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and AirAsia Philippines scheduled on Sunday and Monday.
“We confirm that at 11:11 p.m. on 23 October Sunday, Korean Air flight no. KE631 from Incheon, South Korea overshot the runway in a landing attempt during heavy rains. No one was hurt during the incident. All 162 passengers and 11 crew onboard the A330 aircraft were immediately evacuated and tended to by airport emergency personnel,” the Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority said in a statement.
The MCIAA management said the incident necessitated the temporary closure of the runway to allow for the safe removal of the aircraft.
“For now, all international and domestic flights to and from MCIA are canceled until further notice. We are working with the Korean Air, and the Civil Authority of the Philippines for the swift resolution of this matter. Updates will immediately be given once available,” it added.
Cebu Pacific (CEB) was the most affected among the local airlines with 65 canceled flights, while PAL suspended 28 and Air Asia with five canceled and four delayed flights.
“We urge passengers traveling to and from Cebu on Oct. 24, 2022 to only proceed to the airport if they have confirmed flights. For those who wish to voluntarily postpone their flights, they may avail of Cebu Pacific’s flexible options which include free rebooking and travel fund,” CEB said.
Affected CEB clients were also advised to rebook flights within 30 days, make a refund or store the amount in a virtual CEB wallet valid for six months.
PAL spokesperson Cielo Villaluna said affected passengers will be accommodated on the next available flights out of Manila and Cebu, subject to space availability.
AirAsia Philippines chief information officer Steve Dailisan ground staff in Mactan and NAIA Terminal 4 were on standby to attend to the needs of its customers, especially those that require immediate assistance in flight rerouting.