AirAsia Philippines Faces Lawsuit Over Distressed Passengers on Diverted Flight

AirAsia Philippines Faces Lawsuit Over Distressed Passengers on Diverted Flight

By Bing Jabadan – TheNATIONWEEK.com | August 21, 2026

MANILA, Philippines – AirAsia Philippines is facing potential legal action following a chaotic incident on August 17, when a Manila-bound flight from Da Nang was diverted to Clark International Airport, resulting in two passengers reportedly losing consciousness and widespread distress among those on board.

Flight Z2 823, scheduled to land at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, was redirected to Clark due to adverse weather conditions. Passengers, including Jay and Lei Aquino, allege they were held inside the aircraft for several hours. Critically, they claim the air-conditioning system was turned off during this extended delay, leading to suffocation, panic, and the collapse of at least two individuals requiring medical attention.

Jay Aquino voiced deep disappointment, asserting a lack of transparency from the airline. “It took about four hours for people to collapse before a decision was made,” he stated. Lei Aquino corroborated this, emphasizing the critical lack of air circulation that caused multiple passengers to suffer and experience panic.

AirAsia, in its defense, issued a statement claiming passengers were not detained on board “unnecessarily.” The airline explained that deplaning at an unscheduled destination like Clark required “coordination and clearance with the relevant airport authorities and immigration, as well as the assignment of an appropriate gate and designated area.” They maintained that passenger and crew safety was their “top priority” and that “necessary operational processes and coordination must also be completed before the flight can continue to Manila.” AirAsia also stated that ground staff provided snacks, bottled water, and hot meals.

However, Jay Aquino directly refuted the airline’s claim regarding provisions. He alleged, “They sold us water and snacks before turning off the AC… we realized we needed food and snacks when the AC was off and people were already dizzy.” He stressed, “The news they gave us is not true. They sold it to us.”

The Aquinos intend to file a formal complaint against AirAsia, expressing their dissatisfaction with the airline’s public statement, which they find “unacceptable” given the alleged events inside the aircraft.

Further adding to the passengers’ grievances, some who eventually took P2P buses to Manila reportedly had to bear these transportation costs themselves, arriving at NAIA Terminal 3 past 1 a.m. on August 18.

This incident highlights critical concerns regarding airline communication, passenger welfare protocols during diversions, and transparency in managing unexpected operational challenges. The impending legal action underscores the gravity of the situation and the passengers’ demand for accountability.

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