Cathay Pacific has launched an internal investigation after one of its Airbus A330s inadvertently entered an active runway at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport on 17 December, forcing an incoming flight to abort its landing. Philippine aviation authorities said the Hong Kong-bound jet had been cleared to line up but rolled forward before air-traffic control gave take-off clearance. No injuries or damage were reported, and the aircraft completed its flight to Hong Kong without further incident the same evening.
Runway incursions—defined as any unauthorised presence of an aircraft, vehicle or person on a runway—are considered a ‘serious incident’ by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Cathay Pacific told media it is cooperating fully with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and will “re-emphasise standard operating procedures” to flight crews. The CAAP has begun analysing cockpit voice and flight-data recorders; preliminary findings are expected within 30 days.
![Cathay Pacific runway incursion in Manila triggers safety review for Hong Kong flag-carrier]()
For corporate mobility managers, the event is a reminder to monitor safety bulletins on key regional hubs. Manila is Cathay’s sixth-busiest international route; any regulatory action—such as extra checks or revised taxi procedures—could lengthen turn-around times and tighten crew scheduling over the holiday peak.
Should these operational hiccups require travellers to adjust itineraries or re-evaluate documentation, VisaHQ can step in to streamline visa and entry-permit processing for both Hong Kong and Philippine passport holders. Its online platform—accessible at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/—offers instant requirement checks and courier pickup options, helping passengers secure the right paperwork quickly and avoid last-minute disruptions.
Passengers booked on CX flights between Hong Kong and Manila this week are advised to allow additional transfer time in case of downstream knock-on delays. Cathay says it will notify customers directly via its app if any schedule changes become necessary.
Runway incursions—defined as any unauthorised presence of an aircraft, vehicle or person on a runway—are considered a ‘serious incident’ by the International Civil Aviation Organization. Cathay Pacific told media it is cooperating fully with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and will “re-emphasise standard operating procedures” to flight crews. The CAAP has begun analysing cockpit voice and flight-data recorders; preliminary findings are expected within 30 days.
For corporate mobility managers, the event is a reminder to monitor safety bulletins on key regional hubs. Manila is Cathay’s sixth-busiest international route; any regulatory action—such as extra checks or revised taxi procedures—could lengthen turn-around times and tighten crew scheduling over the holiday peak.
Should these operational hiccups require travellers to adjust itineraries or re-evaluate documentation, VisaHQ can step in to streamline visa and entry-permit processing for both Hong Kong and Philippine passport holders. Its online platform—accessible at https://www.visahq.com/hong-kong/—offers instant requirement checks and courier pickup options, helping passengers secure the right paperwork quickly and avoid last-minute disruptions.
Passengers booked on CX flights between Hong Kong and Manila this week are advised to allow additional transfer time in case of downstream knock-on delays. Cathay says it will notify customers directly via its app if any schedule changes become necessary.
