Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade on Saturday described as an “eye-opener” the runway mishap that affected the normal operations of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
“This incident served as an eye-opener — a reminder for us to take a second look at the processes, procedures, and protocols of concerned agencies, as well as airlines, so that we may all improve in the future,” Tugade said in a statement.
He then apologized for the inconvenience caused to the people by the closure of 60/24 runway after a Xiamen Air jet skidded and went off during a heavy downpour on Thursday evening.
“It is a regrettable experience, which is not of our own liking, nor of our own making. I am sorry. We did our very best to address the situation,” he said.
“On behalf of the entire DOTr [Department of Transportation] family, I am deeply sorry,” Tugade added.
Runway 06/24 reopened for normal flight operations at 11:28 a.m. of Saturday, or after less than 24 hours of being closed.
On Saturday alone, airport authorities have monitored 70 local and international flights that were canceled due to the incident.
The cancelation of flights led more than a thousand of passengers got stuck at the airport terminal.