TACLOBAN CITY, (Philippines): An AirAsia flight bound for Manila was cancelled on Saturday (Aug 1), after a technical problem involving its landing gear was detected before takeoff, briefly disrupting flight operations at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport here.
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) in Tacloban said the aircraft developed the technical issue at around 6am, prompting airport authorities to issue a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) and temporarily adjust airport operations.
The incident caused slight delays to several arriving and departing flights while the affected aircraft remained on the runway.
Airport operations resumed at around 9.45am after the AirAsia aircraft was safely towed to the airport’s bay area for technical inspection and assessment.
According to information released by the Philippine Information Agency in Eastern Visayas (PIA-8), AirAsia has rescheduled the cancelled Manila-bound flight and is assisting affected passengers with their revised travel arrangements.
No injuries were reported.
As of Saturday afternoon, airport operations had returned to normal, with CAAP Tacloban continuing to monitor the situation while AirAsia carried out further technical checks on the aircraft.
Authorities did not disclose the flight number, the nature of the landing gear malfunction, or the number of passengers affected by the cancellation.
Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport is Eastern Visayas’ main commercial gateway, serving multiple daily flights between Tacloban and Manila operated by AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
