Iloilo airport reopens

MANILA, Philippines — The Iloilo International Airport resumed operations yesterday after a Cebu Pacific aircraft which veered off the runway on Friday night was removed.

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines lifted its notice to airmen on the closure of the runway at 2 p.m. yesterday, Eric Apolonio, CAAP spokesperson, said in a text message.

The airport was closed on Saturday after Cebu Pacific Flight 5J461 from Manila landed on a grassy portion.

No one was reported hurt among the 186 passengers and crew, but more than 40 Cebu Pacific and Philippine Airlines (PAL) flights were cancelled.

Affected passengers were given the option to rebook their flights within 30 days from the date of original departure or ask for a refund.

PAL and Cebu Pacific apologized to the public for the inconvenience the incident caused.

“We would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Department of Transportation, CAAP, Manila International Airport Authority, Civil Aeronautics Board, the local government of Iloilo and the Armed Forces of the Philippines for their assistance…Most importantly, we thank our passengers for their patience and understanding,” Cebu Pacific said in a statement.