Philippine Airlines Bans Chinese Passenger For Life For Smoking On Flight

Philippine Airlines bans Chinese passenger for life for smoking on flight

A Chinese passenger from Australia has been banned from Philippine Airlines for life for smoking on a flight to Hong Kong. After the incident, the passenger left the Philippines after purchasing another ticket.

According to Philstar on September 22, Philippine Airlines has banned a Chinese business class passenger from Melbourne, Australia for life from its flights because the passenger was found smoking on a flight to Hong Kong, China.

After flight PR 306 arrived at Terminal 1 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), local police and Philippine Airlines personnel investigated the Chinese passenger, 64-year-old Zhong Yongqin.

Ma. Antoinette Juan, Philippine Airlines cabin crew supervisor, said they stopped Zhong Yongqin when he lit a cigarette.

Airport authorities then asked Zhong Yongqin how he brought the lighter through the security check at Melbourne Airport. According to Philippine Airlines regulations, Zhong Yongqin was banned from all international and domestic flights of the company for life.

Eric Apolonio, spokesman for the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), noted that smoking on board aircraft is prohibited under Republic Act No. 9497 or the CAAP Act and Act No. 8749 or the Clean Air Act.

The passenger was allowed to leave the Ninoy Aquino International Airport after purchasing another ticket to Hong Kong, China.