PAL Vancouver Flight Diverted to Alaska Due to Pressurization Issue

MANILA, Philippines — A Philippine Airlines (PAL) flight bound for Vancouver, Canada, was diverted to Anchorage, Alaska, due to a cabin pressurization system issue, the airline said. In a statement on Sept. 9, PAL confirmed that Flight PR116, which departed from Manila on Sept. 8, was diverted to Anchorage. “As safety comes before everything else, the flight crew followed established safety procedures and diverted the aircraft to Anchorage. The aircraft landed safely, and all passengers and crew on board are safe,” the airline said. According to PAL, while the aircraft underwent technical assessment, assistance was extended to the affected passengers and crew. “Our teams are working closely with those affected to provide the assistance they need and to get them to Vancouver as soon as practicable,” PAL said in the same statement. Meanwhile, in a correspondence with PAL on Thursday, Sept. 10, the airline confirmed with the INQUIRER that the passengers were accommodated on flight PR5116 from Anchorage to Vancouver. The flight took off at 5:30 p.m., Anchorage time, and landed to the original destination at Sept. 9, 9:30 p.m., Vancouver time. “PAL arranged hotel accommodation, meals, and transportation to the airport,” it added. /gsg