A Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight carrying 82 passengers and four crew members was forced to return shortly after takeoff due to a “technical problem,” according to officials.
Flight PR2543 experienced a technical issue that resulted in smoke venting into the cabin, PAL spokeswoman Cielo Villaluna said in a statement that was posted on the Philippine News Agency, a web-based government newswire service.
All affected passengers and crew members safely returned to Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 2:10 p.m. for a “precautionary landing,” she said.
The flight, bound for Dumaguete from Manila, took off at 1:54 p.m. earlier that day.
PAL said the carrier’s operations teams have arranged a replacement flight for all affected passengers. The plane has since safely arrived at its final destination.