'STAR STUCK' A Jetstar Asia Airbus A320 passenger aircraft is seen stuck after it rolled into the grass prior to taking off at the international airport in Manila on Saturday. More than a dozen flights were cancelled and many others delayed as the passenger jet rolled into the grass just before takeoff at Manila airport December 14, shutting off one of only two runways at thehilippines' busiest gateway, officials said. PHOTO BY AFPA runway at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) was temporarily closed after Jetstar's Airbus A320 aircraft fell into a ditch early Saturday.Aviation authorities said Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas, stalled while maneuvering for takeoff on runway 13.Initial report from Manila tower said flight JJP40 bound for Japan 'experienced runway excursion upon making 180 degrees turn for departure at time 2:35 a.m. while taxiing via taxiway F1 and got stuck at the grassy portion.'All passengers and crew are safe, authorities said.Aircraft Accident Investigation Inquiry Board of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) immediately dispatched its investigators to determine the cause of the incident.CAAP issued a notice-to-airmen stating that runway 13/31 was closed for aircraft operations because of the stalled aircraft.Runway 13/31 is a secondary 2,367-meter runway that serves smaller aircraft such as A320, Boeing B737 as well as turbo prop planes.Philippine Airlines (PAL) advised its clients to 'expect possible delays to flights departing Manila, or arriving Manila, as a result of the temporary closure.''All flights are being redirected to the main runway, runway 06/24, and this will result in longer waiting time as more aircraft line up for take off or landing at the main runway,' it said.'We seek the kind understanding of our passengers for any inconvenience that may result from this situation,' PAL said in a Viber statement.PAL spokesman Cielo Villaluna said that there was no suspension, cancellations or diversions so far.'Only delays. All flights are utilizing runway 06/24 so there are delays. As of now, airport authorities are working on removal of obstruction,' Villaluna said.She said that 11 departure flights of the airline had been delayed.Cebu Pacific Air (CEB) issued an advisory that 'due to a stalled aircraft that has caused the closure of one of the two runways in Manila, expect some of our flights to be delayed or cancelled as we try to work amidst limited operating conditions at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. We notify passengers on flights that will be disrupted through the email addresses or mobile numbers provided upon booking. We also request passengers to avoid coming to the airport if you do not have a confirmed flight.'In another development, as of this posting, CAAP has announced that as of 9:45 a.m, the JJP40's aircraft 'has been pulled back to the active runway and is currently being towed on runway 13.'
