Philippine Airlines (PAL) is under scrutiny following reports that cabin crew were instructed to manually remove human waste from aircraft lavatories during a trans-Pacific flight.
The incident reportedly occurred on Flight PR113 from Los Angeles to Manila, operated by a Boeing 777. According to Insider PH, the aircraft experienced a complete failure of its toilet flushing system mid-flight. Despite having diversion options available, the flight continued to Manila.
Crew members claim they were directed to scoop waste from blocked toilets and dispose of it into nearby lavatory basins in order to keep limited facilities usable for passengers. Aviation safety sources note that no standard commercial aviation procedure allows cabin crew to handle human waste due to biohazard and sanitation risks. The crew involved were reportedly not provided with specialised protective equipment.
The situation was managed away from passengers, and the aircraft landed in Manila on schedule. No formal passenger complaints were filed. However, crew members later raised concerns with their union, arguing that operational continuity should not come at the expense of crew safety.
Industry observers warn that failing to address such incidents could set a dangerous precedent, highlighting ongoing concerns about how airlines balance safety responsibilities with operational pressure.
Source: Insider PH
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