By Meanne Corvera
Eagle News Service
The government is now seeking up to P72 million as fines from Xiamen Air after one of its planes skidded off a Ninoy Aquino International Airport runway in August, prompting flight cancellations.
Manila International Airport Authority general manager Ed Monreal said that this was only based on their initial computation, and that the amount could be up to P42 million more, depending on affected airline companies.
He said the government has already received assurance Xiamen Air would pay when its representatives arrive from Sept. 12 to 13.
As of now, the Senate committee on public services is waiting for the results of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines’ probe into the incident.
CAAP is looking into what caused flight MF8667 to skid off runway 06/24 on Aug. 16.
It is also looking at the possible violations of Philippine civil aviation regulations.
The committee, however, will proceed to come up with its report on its recommendations based on their own probe.
Senator Grace Poe, chair of the panel, noted what she said was the admission of airport authorities that they were unable to convene a crisis management team.
“Yung mga contractor medyo matagal, uncoordinated flights ilalagay natin sa committee report,” she said.
