A group of Chinese tourists reportedly confronted two pilots of a Cebu Pacific chartered flight to Shanghai, China but was diverted to Kalibo International Airport (KIA) due to bad weather.
The tourists also allegedly punched a policeman who tried to step in and pacify the group from harassing Capt. Johnny Tinto and co-pilot Richard Avila of Cebu Pacific (CEB) Flight 5J-074.
KIA manager Cynthia Aspera said the plane arrived at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) at 7:48 p.m., stayed there for three hours, until it was instructed to go back to its airport of origin in Kalibo as per the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) protocol for uncompleted flights.
It was also reported the angry mob pinned the pilots’ arms refusing to let them go. Aspera, however, denied this and insisted that the captain and the co-pilot were not hurt.
“The pilots tried to explain to the passengers that airlines do not provide free accommodations if the flight cancellation or suspension was due to bad weather, but the passengers were insistent. It was also difficult to communicate with them because of language problems,” said the airport manager.
The Chinese also allegedly punched an unidentified policeman who tried to interfere and calm the angry tourists, and the assailant was handcuffed and taken to a police precinct.
According to Aspera, no charges were filed against the Chinese group because the pilots decided not to file a formal complaint.
Read article here: http://kickerdaily.com/irate-chinese-tourists-punch-cop-harass-pilots-of-diverted-flight/
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