MANILA - Xiamen Airlines on Monday said it was fully cooperating with Filipino authorities' investigation on why one of its jets overshot the Ninoy Aquino International Airport runway and paralyzed operations there for nearly 2 days.
The Boeing 737-800 was removed from the runway Saturday after it forced the cancellation of some 200 flights.
"We are fully cooperating with the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines and the Civil Aviation Administration of China to investigate the cause of the incident," Xiamen Airlines said in a statement.
"Manila International Airport made a lot of efforts to help us settle the passengers and move the aircraft from the runway," it said.
Statement issued by Che Shanglun, Chairman of Xiamen Airlines, to the public @MIAAGovPH pic.twitter.com/wscHmPDBva — Xiamen Airlines (@XiamenAirlines) August 20, 2018
Local authorities assumed responsibility of removing the stalled aircraft instead of waiting for Xiamen Airlines representatives to speed up the process, Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Ed Monreal said.
Philippine aviation authorities lifted the plane using a 200-ton telescopic crane, placed it on a flatbed, then towed it to a nearby hangar.
Airline operators still expect "consequential" delays before operations normalize within the week.
"Xiamen Airlines apologizes to all the passengers affected by the incident and will do its utmost to assist," the airline said.
source: news.abs-cbn.com
