'Ill-fated plane not owned by PEAC'

MANILA, Philippines - Pacific East Asia Cargo Airlines (PEAC) belied reports yesterday it was the operator and owner of the Russian-made Antonov 12 aircraft that crashed and killed two Russians and a Bulgarian Wednesday night in Mexico, Pampanga. 

In a statement, PEAC said the “freighter flight with body number UP-AN216 is managed and operated by Interisland Airlines. PEAC has no relation whatsoever with Interisland,” it stressed. 

PEAC added it has no Antonov 12 type of aircraft as records at the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) would attest. On the other hand, CAAP records indicate that an AN12 aircraft with Registration UP-AN216 and Call Sign ISN 201 (TRIBIRD) arrived in the Philippines and was “wet-leased” by Interisland Airlines from PMT Air of Cambodia.

 At the same time, PEAC clarified that it is not related with Philippine Airlines contrary to earlier published reports.