Xiamen penalty now almost P72 million, says MIAA chief

The penalty that Chinese Xiamen Airlines will have to pay to the Philippines for the August 16 accident at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia) has now reached to almost P72 million. 

Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) General Manager Eddie Monreal disclosed this during Monday’s resumption of the hearing of the Senate committee on public services. 

From an initial estimate of P33 million, Monreal said Xiamen’s penalty has more than doubled based on latest computation. 

READ: Gov’t tells Xiamen Air: Pay damages 

“Umaabot na po sa almost P72 million. Meron na kaming ng pinag-uusapan na karagdagdagang P42 million plus,” he told the committee, responding to the queries of the committee chair, Senator Grace Poe.  

Montreal said they already talked with the finance officer of the airline last Friday and they got an assurance that Xiamen would pay for the initial cost. 

The chairman of Xiamen, he said, would also go to the Philippines this week to discuss the matter further. 

Thousands of passengers were affected when a Xiamen aircraft veered off the runway of Naia last August 16. /je 

READ: Xiamen Air jet stuck at NAIA runway; flights canceled, diverted