(Eagle News)– The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) announced on Wednesday (September 21) Saudi Arabian Airlines will pay the costs gained by airport authorities due to a false hijack incident on Tuesday (September 20).
“Tinitingnan po namin yung… expenses that was incurred during that situation yesterday. Marami po kasing nabulabog sa nangyari kahapon,” MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal said.
The expenses include gasoline and other operational expenses of units that responded in the area, such as the PNP-Aviation Security Group Special Operations Unit, and the Special Action Force Rapid Deployment Battalion.
Aside from the financial costs, Monreal pointed out that the incident caused stress and inconvenience.
“Unang una, ‘yung stress na naidulot. Hindi puwedeng i-quantify ‘yon sa numero. Saka ‘yung mga taong nag-respond. Saka na-inconvenience ‘yung mga pasahero Marami hong epekto in terms of related expenses,” he said.
The false hijacking also led to diversion of two flights that will also be added to the fine imposed.
The Saudia plane SVA 872 landed at the Ninoy aquino International Airport and was placed under isolation after the pilot sent “under threat” signals to the control tower.
The plane crew explained that the alarm was a mistake due to wrong code input.