Grace Poe to MIAA: Compel Xiamen Air to pay up

MANILA, Philippines — Almost three months after the Xiamen Air runway mishap, Sen. Grace Poe wants the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) to pressure the airline to fully pay its penalties to the government.  

Poe, who was the guest speaker at the First Philippine Aviation Safety Day in Makati City yesterday, told reporters there is no need for another hearing on the issue. 

“They have the capability to pay, they should pay in full immediately,” she said. 

The MIAA can ban the airline from landing at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) until the P72-million fine is fully paid, said Poe, who chaired the congressional oversight committee on Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

NAIA operations were affected for several days after a Xiamen Air plane slid off a runway on Aug. 16. 

Poe said the Xiamen Air incident prompted her to file a bill creating the National Transport Safety Board, which will serve as an independent investigating body that will probe transportation-related accidents.