DOTr orders Philippine Airlines to explain diverted flight incident

In this photo taken on September 13, 2016, Philippine Airlines planes are parked while another takes off at the international airport of Manila. (Photo by TED ALJIBE / AFP)

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered Philippine Airlines to explain the incident involving one of its flights being diverted to an airport in Japan.

PR 102 made an emergency landing at the Haneda Airport in Tokyo on Thursday early morning after smoke was detected on the plane.

“Upon landing, it was noted that no ground personnel or transport support were available to assist the passengers… You are hereby directed to submit your reply/comment no later than 4 p.m. today, 10 April 2025,” the DOTr Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said in a show cause order.

INQUIRER.net sought comment from Philippine Airlines, but the company has yet to respond.

READ: PAL plane makes emergency landing in Japan due to smoke in cabin

The show cause order cited the Air Passenger Bill of Rights, stating that “passengers are entitled to timely assistance, accommodation, and information during delays, cancellations, and diversions.”

“Furthermore, existing advisories issued by this Office require airlines to ensure that adequate ground handling support is in place to adequately assist passengers in cases of flight disruptions,” the CAB said.

READ: Passengers, crew of flight PR 102 diverted to Japan airport disembark

Philippine Airlines said all 359 passengers and 18 flight deck and cabin crew safely disembarked after the flight landed at Haneda at 3:30 a.m. (Tokyo time) and the plane was assigned a disembarkation gate at 10 a.m.

“Our ground operations team at Tokyo Haneda Airport is providing full support, including meals, baggage assistance, and arranging alternative flights to help passengers continue their journey,” the airline said in a statement on Thursday.