The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has grounded Lionair (Philippines) (Manila Ninoy Aquino International) after a second fatal crash in just over half a year, it said in a statement distributed to local media.

"While investigation on the medical evacuation plane [IAI 1124] RP-C5880 (msn 353) is ongoing, it has been decided that Lionair's entire fleet will be grounded," the CAAP said.

The aircraft crashed during take-off from Manila Ninoy Aquino International en route to Tokyo Haneda on March 29, 2020. All eight persons on board died in the crash, which is still under investigation. The CAAP pointed out that on September 1, 2019, Lionair experienced another fatal crash in which a Beech (twin turboprop) King Air 350 performing a medevac flight from Dipolog to Manila crashed in Pansol, around 40 kilometres from the destination airport, killing all nine passengers and crew aboard.