DOT, airport authorities to discuss aid for NAIA runway mishap

The Department of Tourism is positive that the Ninoy Aquino International Airport runway incident over the weekend is an isolated one.

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism on Monday said it would meet with airline and airport authorities to discuss the assistance for passengers affected by the Ninoy Aquino International Airport runway mishap.

DOT said its airport offices have already been instructed to provide all possible assistance to those affected by the incident.

The tourism agency added that it would meet with airline and airport authorities to further discuss compensation for delayed or canceled flights and delayed or lost baggage.

It added that it fully supports the Department of Transportation’s immediate call for the improvement of policies, procedures and protocols to effectively address this type of crisis and all other possible aviation emergencies. 

“We subscribe to clearer and broader measures that will ensure preparedness and clear-cut responsibilities of all parties concerned,” the DOT said.

The DOT also apologized to the local and foreign tourists affected by the incident that paralyzed NAIA operations for almost two days.

“We express our sincerest apologies to all our local and foreign tourists inconvenienced by the Xiamen Airways plane mishap on August 16 at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport runway,” DOT said.

On Thursday, a Xiamen Airlines plane skidded while landing. The aircraft was stuck on the runway and authorities failed to recover it quickly due to the heavy downpour.

Hundreds of flights were canceled while some flights had been diverted to Clark or Cebu airports following the incident.

The runway was opened on Saturday noon and airport operations resumed but flights were grounded until Monday due to excessive delays.

The DOT, however, remained optimistic that the incident is an isolated one and would not prevent the continued growth of visitor arrivals.

“This should serve as a challenge for all tourism stakeholders to continue working together to achieve the industry’s full potential,” the DOT said.

SOURCE: Philippine Star