Qantas has arranged for a replacement aircraft to fly to Manila tonight to collect the passengers from QF30, which was diverted earlier today en route from Hong Kong to Melbourne.
The replacement Qantas B747 aircraft is scheduled to depart Manila shortly after 11pm local time and is due to arrive in Melbourne on Saturday morning.
The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said the airline was sending an investigation team including Qantas engineering personnel to Manila tonight to carry out an investigation.
Mr Dixon praised the pilots and cabin crew for the way they handled the incident.
"This was a highly unusual situation and our crew responded with the professionalism that Qantas is known for," he said.
Issued by Qantas Corporate Communication (Q3793)
Email: qantasmedia@qantas.com.au
Qantas has confirmed that a B747-400 aircraft operating QF30 from Hong Kong to Melbourne diverted to Manila today following a loss of cabin pressure.
The Chief Executive Officer of Qantas, Mr Geoff Dixon, said all 346 passengers and 19 crew disembarked normally and there were no reports of any injuries to passengers or crew.
The flight, which originated in London, landed in Manila at approximately 11.15 am local time.
Mr Dixon said the flight crew had performed emergency procedures after oxygen masks were deployed.
He said initial inspections revealed the aircraft had sustained a hole in its fuselage, and it was currently being inspected by engineers.
"The Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) and the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) have been notified of the incident and Qantas is sending its own engineers to Manila.
"Qantas has provided all passengers with accommodation and a replacement aircraft has been arranged."
Reported by Qantas
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