Official: Whoever’s at fault in Naia runway mishap should just admit it

A Xiamen Air passenger plane lies on its belly on a muddy field after landing in bad weather and skidding off the runway of Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Thursday night. There were no casualties but the incident caused widespread flight disruptions. (Photo by MARIANNE BERMUDEZ / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

“Be bold enough to face passengers.”

This was the message of Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Ed Monreal to airline companies following the closure of the main runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport because a Xiamen Air plane skidded off a runway of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).

Monreal also told airline companies not to engage in fingerpointing.

“I am appealing to the airlines to be bold enough,” Monreal said in a press briefing on Sunday. “Kung sila ang may kasalanan, tanggapin natin. Hindi naman tayo perpektong tao at ang sitwasyon natin is abnormal right now.”

[If they’re at fault, we should accept that. We’re not perfect and the situation we’re facing right now is abnormal.]

“Just be man enough,” he added.

If airport officials were at fault, they they should also accept that, he said.

“But let’s not pass the blame, let’s not do finger-pointing,” he added.

Monreal made his statements after thousands of passengers complained that their airlines failed to give updates on their flight details.

Hundreds of international and local flights have been canceled since Friday morning after Xiamen Air Flight MF8667 skidded off a runway on Thursday night.

READ: Dozens of flights affected as plane skids off rain-soaked Naia runway

The flight’s pilot and first officer have been prevented from leaving the country pending an investigation of the incident. /atm

READ: Xiamen Air pilot, first officer barred from leaving PH