MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE 2) The first group of Filipinos stranded in Thailand arrived in Manila around 11 p.m. Monday onboard a special Philippine Airlines flight.

MANILA, Philippines—(UPDATE 3) The first group of Filipinos stranded in Thailand arrived in Manila late Monday onboard a special Philippine Airlines flight.

The MD-80 that took off from Kansas City International Airport carried about 120 passengers. Some were headed for Mexico, others to Central and South America. Once off the ground, food and beverages would be served. The flight was one of up to 180 flights flown each month by Kansas City's only locally based airline. While most are to Central and South America, others are to such exotic locales ...