Manila International Airport Authority has ordered Xiamen Airlines to pay up for disruption caused during last week’s hard landing.
It caused chaos at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila, resulting in cancellations to other flights for two days, stranding thousands of flyers.
The airport authority will bill the airline an initial P15 million just for the rental cost of heavy equipment used to remove the aircraft from the edge of the runway.
It will also likely have to shell out much more to cover ‘necessary or consequential expenses.’
Senator Koko Pimentel has called on the airline to compensate other airlines and passengers for two days of travel chaos, and even five days after the August 16 accident, delays persisted.
It took 36 hours for the aircraft to be moved from the runway.
The plane’s nose wheel collapsed on landing and one engine was severely damaged.
The airport authority was widely criticised for its handling of the incident as was national carrier Philippine Airlines for not doing more to assist stranded travellers.
PAL acknowledged its failings and said it the incident has cost it ‘millions of pesos.’
"We sincerely apologise and we assure you that we will strive to do more and make the necessary improvements for the benefit of all," PAL said.
