KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — CGT Asia Limited has confirmed that only one Philippine national was on board its aircraft when it departed Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport (WMSA), Subang, for Luang Prabang International Airport, Laos, on October 1, and that the passenger boarded without any carry-on luggage.

CGT Asia chief executive officer Captain Darren Chan Chee Seng said the Learjet 55B, registered as N73GP, departed Subang at about 11.30am local time and arrived at Luang Prabang International Airport (VLLB) at about 1.30pm.

He said the passenger was the sole passenger on the WMSA-VLLB sector.

“At the time of departure from WMSA, the passenger boarded the aircraft without presenting any carry-on baggage,” he said in a statement yesterday.

Chan said the operating crew had been informed that the passenger intended to collect luggage containing vape products for the onward flight and that the passenger would personally handle the customs clearance process.

“However, the crew had not been informed that the luggage would consist of approximately 23 pieces, and this quantity was substantially greater than anticipated,” he said.

Upon arrival at VLLB, approximately 23 pieces of luggage were presented for the intended onward flight to Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Manila, Philippines, before the aircraft was scheduled to ferry back to Subang.

Chan said the operating crew was not involved in the customs clearance process but raised operational and safety concerns after becoming aware of the proposed baggage.

These included the unusually large quantity of baggage, the aircraft’s baggage capacity, weight-and-balance considerations applicable to the Learjet 55B, and the possible presence of lithium batteries or other items potentially subject to dangerous goods requirements.

“The luggage was not accepted for carriage and was not loaded onto aircraft N73GP at Luang Prabang International Airport. — Bernama