Japan-bound PAL flight declares emergency, returns to PH

Philippine Airlines jet takes off from Manila airport on August 11, 2015. FILE PHOTO/Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight bound for Osaka, Japan, was diverted back to Manila on Wednesday morning after declaring an emergency due to a pressurization problem.

According to PAL, Flight PR 412—which departed at 8:52 a.m.—encountered the issue around 10:08 a.m. while en route to Kansai International Airport.

“In accordance with safety protocols, the flight crew initiated a descent to a lower altitude and declared an emergency as a precautionary measure,” said PAL.

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“The issue was subsequently resolved, and emergency protocols were downgraded,” it added.

The flight returned to Manila and landed safely at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) at 11:20 a.m.

All 191 passengers and eight crew members disembarked safely, with its ground operations team providing full assistance to those affected, PAL said.

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The airline added that it is coordinating with the appropriate authorities. /dl/abc