Xiamen Airlines commits to pay for NAIA mishap costs

MANILA, Philippines — Xiamen Airlines said it will shoulder the expenses for the removal of its aircraft, which skidded off Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s runway and paralyzed the operations of the country’s main gateway.

“After occurrence of runway excursion at Manila Airport, Xiamen Airlines contacted Manila Airport immediately and made commitment to bear the costs for aircraft handling and runway recovering caused by the event,” Xiamen said in a statement Wednesday.

Official Announcement pic.twitter.com/nBKgaz7f1P

— Xiamen Airlines (@XiamenAirlines) August 22, 2018

The airline added that it will confirm the costs with airport authorities.

Manila International Airport Authority general manager Ed Monreal earlier estimated that Xiamen Airlines will pay at least P15 million for the extraction of Boeing 737 off the runway.

“All the expenses incurred will be charged to them—manpower, the rentals,” Monreal said.

The amount, which has yet to be finalized, excludes opportunity cost.

READ: NAIA mishap to cost Xiamen Airlines at least P15M

Xiamen Airlines once again apologized for the runway mishap—which led to a number of flight cancellations and affected thousands of passengers—and committed to do its best to assist the affected passengers.

“From August 20, Xiamen has set up eight counters at the four terminals of Manila Airport, providing free meals and water to all the passengers. Up to the afternoon of August 22, more than 55,000 meals and water have been supplied,” the airline said.

The aircraft skidded off NAIA’s main runway last Thursday. It was removed from the rain-soaked spot where it had been stuck early Saturday.