Basco airport temporarily shuts down due to stranded PAF aircraft

BAGUIO CITY (November 2, 2024)— The Basco airport in Batanes was temporarily closed to fixed-wing aircraft after a Philippine Air Force (PAF) airplane’s front wheel was detached while touching down Friday afternoon.

CAAP cluster 1 area manager Ronald Estabillo said the disabled aircraft is still at the runway, such that only helicopters could land at the airport.

An equipment to be used to remove the PAF aircraft from the runway is scheduled to arrive Saturday, Estabillo said, and expects normal flights of to resume on Sunday.

The PAF Airbus C295 – R217 was bringing relief goods for typhoon—affected residents in Batanes when the aircraft accident occured.



All of the aircraft’s crew and occupants were safe.

CAAP and the Philippine National Police Aviation Security Group are probing the incident.

Meanwhile, Estabillo announced that flights in the other airports in the Ilocos and Cagayan Valley regions have gone back to normal after “Kristine and Leon.”