Aerobridge operator misjudges, dents plane at NAIA

MANILA, Philippines - A China Airlines aircraft was damaged when the aerobridge operator misjudged and “oversteered” the tube at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 yesterday morning.

The aerobridge was supposed to fit the Boeing 737-800’s door but operator Carmelo Adaptante dented the plane instead, officials said.

Sources said China Airlines cancelled the aircraft’s scheduled flight to Taiwan following the “minor” accident, which would cost between $1 million and $3 million to fix.

Airline officials told The STAR that 40 out of the flight’s 114 passengers were booked on Eva Airlines and other China Airlines flights to Taipei.

Sources said the airline is waiting for a go-signal from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines that it is safe to fly the aircraft back to Taipei.