‘Prophet of doom’ held at NAIA

A remark from a Paris-based fashion designer, who was unceremoniously off-loaded from a Cathay Pacific Airlines flight to Hong Kong, sent aviation security personnel scrambling at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Tuesday night.

Security officers placed Philippe Sambe under custody until CX Flight 918 had landed safely at the former Crown Colony. This, after the Frenchman remarked that the plane would crash.

The incident started when Sambe, who was seated in business class, continued to use his cell phone while the plane was warming up for take-off, even after a warning had been given for all passengers to turn off all electronic devices.

A flight attendant approached Sambe and told him to turn off his mobile phone, but the fashion designer ignored her, prompting the crew member to report him to the pilot.

The pilot left the cockpit and confronted Sambe. The stubborn passenger likewise ignored the pilot, who was forced to order the door opened so Sambe could be escorted out of the plane.

Embarrassed for being thrown out of the plane, a disgusted Sambe then uttered: "This plane will not reach Hong Kong as it will crash."

The remark was relayed to aviation security personnel, who placed the troublesome passenger under temporary custody.

Ed Monreal, the Manila-based station manager of Cathay Pacific Airways, had Sambe’s name placed in the police blotter, holding him responsible for any untoward incident that may befall the airline company in the future.

Sambe was released from custody only after the CX flight landed safely at the Chep Lap Kok Airport in Hong Kong. He was scheduled to leave for Hong Kong late yesterday afternoon on board a Philippine Airlines flight.