ILOILO City – What began as a routine flight turned into a harrowing ordeal in the skies. Passengers of a Philippine Airlines (PAL) Express aircraft recounted fear, panic, and desperate prayers after an in-flight oxygen problem forced an emergency landing in Iloilo on Sunday, April 19, 2026.
The flight, PR 2544 (RP-C8619) bound for Manila from Dumaguete City, was diverted to the Iloilo International Airport at around 4:30 p.m. after a cabin pressurization issue triggered the sudden deployment of oxygen masks mid-air.
But beyond the technical failure, it was the human experience inside the cabin — of suffocating heat, struggling breaths, and mounting anxiety — that left a mark on the 175 passengers onboard.
“They were about to take off, the captain announced that they were trying to fix the aircon problem inside the cabin but mid-air it wasn’t solved,” recalled passenger Jong Narciso, who said the tension escalated as the flight progressed.
Moments later, turbulence shook the aircraft — and then came the most frightening part.
“Ug diri gyud ko nakuyawan, kay sa salida ra nako ni nakita, but today I personally experienced it. Lord, my heart is still pounding, but it is full of gratitude. What could have been a moment of fear and uncertainty became a testimony of Your protection. As our plane was forced to make an emergency landing here in Iloilo, I felt the weight of the situation — but even more, I felt Your presence. You are truly our refuge, our strong fortress in times of trouble,” Narciso said.
For many onboard, the experience felt surreal — something only seen in movies until it became reality at 32,000 feet.
Another passenger, Geeno Rabaya, described the flight in stark terms.
“Genuinely the most terrifying flight and the hottest ride I’ve ever been in. Children had an extremely hard time breathing, the elderly were struggling, and everyone was in disarray. Thank you Lord we were able to safely land in Iloilo for a reroute. Hope everything smoothens out for everyone soon,” he said.
Passengers spoke of an uncomfortable and increasingly alarming cabin environment, where ventilation issues were already evident even before takeoff.
“(This is the) worst worst Philippine Airlines. Swear. We’re sweating, no aircon from takeoff from Dumaguete. My gosh. I don’t know what’s happening,” said Rhuel Beaujing Acot, who documented the situation on video.
He claimed the lack of air-conditioning lasted for more than 20 minutes, leaving passengers drenched in sweat and unsure of what would happen next.
“Bago pa lang mag-takeoff alam niya na may problema aircon. Sana nag-decide nang better ‘di ba? I mean, baka ‘yun ang better decision para sa kaniya. (But) all of us, stuck here. Daming mga (bisita) galing Dumaguete, mga tourists and this is what they get,” Acot said.
Inside the cabin, fear spread quickly — especially among vulnerable passengers.
Children struggled to breathe. Elderly passengers showed signs of distress. Others held on to their seats, some praying quietly, as oxygen masks dropped and the reality of the situation set in.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), the aircraft experienced a pressurization issue at cruising altitude, prompting the crew to declare an emergency and divert to Iloilo.
The Iloilo International Airport later confirmed that “the oxygen supply in the cabin was insufficient after the aircraft reached its cruising altitude of 32,000 feet,” adding that while the aircraft landed safely, some passengers required immediate medical assistance upon arrival.
Despite the fear and frustration, many passengers expressed gratitude for the safe landing — and for the flight crew’s composure during the crisis.
As the plane touched down in Iloilo, relief swept through the cabin — a collective exhale after minutes that felt far longer than they were.
For those onboard, it was not just a flight diverted — it was a moment they say they will never forget./PN
