Saudia to pay costs of flight isolation after false hijack report

Saudi Arabian Airlines will shoulder the expenses incurred by airport authorities following the false hijacking alarm sent by flight SVA 872 on Tuesday afternoon, the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) has said.

MIAA General Manager Ed Monreal told GMA News said the agency was in the process of determining the cost of the error.

"Tinitingnan po namin yung...  expenses that was incurred during that situation yesterday. Marami po kasing nabulabog sa nangyari kahapon," Monreal said.

The costs include gasoline and other operational expenses of units that responded in the area, such as the PNP-Aviation Security Group Special Operations Unit, and the Special Action Force Rapid Deployment Battalion.

The incident also led to the diversion of two flights, and MIAA will consider adding the costs incurred by the airlines because of this.

"We'll check with the airlines if they want to add the costs to the situation and we will consider their proposals," Monreal said.

This will be on top of the fines that may be imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), which is leading an investigation on the incident.

Aside from the financial costs, Monreal pointed out that the false hijacking alarm caused stress and inconvenience.

"Malaki," he responded when asked about the extent of the problem the incident caused.

"Unang una, 'yung stress na naidulot. Hindi puwedeng i-quantify 'yon sa numero. Saka 'yung mga taong nag-respond. Saka na-inconvenience 'yung mga pasahero Marami hong epekto in terms of related expenses," Monreal said.

The Saudia flight from Jeddah touched down at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at around 3 p.m., and was placed under isolation after the pilot advised the control tower that the place was "under threat."

The crew of the plane informed authorities upon landing that the distress call saying the plane was "under threat" was a mistake, according to airport officials. —Rose-An Jessica Dioquino/NB, GMA News