MIAA assessing damage to runway lights

MANILA, Philippines—The Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), operator of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, is completing its assessment of the damage caused by the Cebu Pacific Air plane that skidded on landing Thursday afternoon and destroyed five runway lights.

“The MIAA has initially assessed the amount of damage,” MIAA media affairs division chief Ma. Consuelo Bungag said in a text message to the Inquirer.

Photos released by the MIAA showed five damaged runway lights. The bulbs on the metallic platforms were completely shattered, leaving only the wiring.

The MIAA is expected to send a demand letter to Cebu Pacific next week. The airline has the option of contesting the damage assessment in court.

Depending on the manufacturer and product compliance with international or national standards, a steady-burning runway light costs between $50 and $100 apiece, according to online sellers.

In another development, the MIAA said it was planning to completely overhaul its access pass processing and printing after another person was arrested on Friday for making fake airport access passes.—Jerome Aning