A Hong Kong-bound Cathay Pacific flight turned back shortly after takeoff yesterday from the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) and was delayed by half an hour to offload what airline crew said was an “unruly” honorary Filipino consul.
Businessman Francis Chua was offloaded because he refused to fasten his seatbelt, Cathay Pacific said.
Cathay Pacific cabin crew said Chua, also known as Ang Biao, was asked to fasten his seatbelt as the aircraft taxied for takeoff at noon.
When he refused, the crew alerted the pilot, Captain Brian Hall, and flight officer Warren Hayman, who decided to turn the plane around.
As the Boeing 747 returned to the airport terminal, Chua left his seat and reportedly climbed up the spiral staircase to the upper deck and tried to enter the cockpit, in an apparent attempt to talk to the pilot.
A struggle reportedly ensued as the cabin crew restrained Chua from entering the cockpit.
Upon being offloaded, Chua was brought to the Police Center for Aviation Security where he was investigated.
Superintendent Manuel Pintado, senior chief of the police center, said under Republic Act 9497, which created the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), Chua could be held liable for a terrorism-related offense.
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