Chinese plane refuels anew at Davao airport

A military cargo plane of China has reportedly landed anew at the Davao International Airport (DIA) yesterday.

According to reports, People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s IL-76 with tail number 21407 made a quick pitstop to refuel at DIA after participating in a two-week military exercise known as Skytrain 2018 in Auckland, New Zealand.

It was the same aircraft that had a refueling stop at the Davao airport last June 8, the reports added.

Malacañang defended the recent landing, saying the plane’s refueling “was granted and given with specific conditions for compliance by the requesting party.”

The Department of National Defense also said there was clearance from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

According to passenger and cargo flight operator Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, the Il-76 cannot fly more than 3,000 kilometers without refueling if carrying a full load.