MANILA, Philippines — Xiamen Airlines should pay for damages and opportunities lost following the incident that paralyzed the operations of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said Wednesday.
The operations at the country's main gateway was paralyzed for about 36 hours when Xiamen Air flight MF8667 skidded off the runway in the evening of August 16.
Related Stories
Tugade, speaking before the Senate Public Services Commitee, said the Civial Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) is working with Xiamen Airlines to investigate the incident.
"I am told that in conversations between Xiamen Airlines and CAAP, they will pay the damages agreed upon," Tugade told the Senate panel.
The Transportation chief added that the cost of opportunities lost will also be included in the computation of damages.
"Our position is that not only the actual damages (will be paid), but the loss of opportunities should be included. There will be a study and computation to determine the damages that should be received from Xiamen Airlines," the Cabinet member said.
'It was a regrettable incident'
In his opening statement during the Senate hearing into the NAIA runway mishap, Tugade apologized for the incident.
"It was a regrettable incident that is not of our own liking, nor of our own making. I am deeply sorry for the inconveniences," Tugade said.
In particular, Tugade apologized to those who were looking forward to their holidays and to overseas Filipino workers who missed their flights.
"From the bottom of my heart, I am truly, deeply sorry," he said.
The initial estimate that Xiamen will have to pay is at P15 million, according to Manila International Airport Authority general manager Ed Monreal.
This initial estimate included manpower, rental costs of crane and other equipment used to remove the aircraft from the runway.
“Right now there’s only two aspects that we have computed in the range of P15 million, but there’s still a lot,” Monreal earlier said in a television interview.