A Philippine Airlines flight bound for Hong Kong was delayed on Thursday morning at Manila International Airport after a loud banging sound was heard while the aircraft was taxiing for takeoff. The incident prompted an immediate security response and a thorough inspection of the plane.

The Airbus A321neo, operating as flight PR300, was preparing to depart at approximately 7:50 a.m. when passengers and crew noticed the noise. The cabin crew promptly informed the pilots, who alerted the airport’s control tower. In response, air traffic control ordered the aircraft to stop on the taxiway.

Following standard security protocols, passengers were instructed to disembark, and luggage was removed from the aircraft for inspection. Bomb disposal teams conducted comprehensive safety checks on the passengers, their baggage, and the airplane itself.

Philippine Airlines described the incident as a “temporary hold” following a security concern. After completing the inspection, the aircraft was cleared to resume its journey. The flight eventually departed after a delay of about three hours.

The airline also noted that it is providing assistance to passengers affected by missed connecting flights due to the disruption. No further details were released regarding the source of the noise or any additional findings from the safety checks.