Customs officials seize 80-seater plane over alleged tax fraud
- 6 years ago
This was the moment customs officials seized an 80-seater jet over alleged tax fraud.
The British made BAE-146 - worth around nine million pounds - had been operating commercial flights in the Philippines as SkyJet Airlines since 2014.
But customs staff investigated earlier this month and said there was no record of import duties being paid for the aircraft.
The plane was seized at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila last week after the owners Magnum Air had still not settled the tax bills.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena said that the plane would be forfeited to the government and auctioned if the company is still unable to pay the 90,000,000 Philippine Pesos (1.3m GBP) bill after an appeal.
He added: ''Magnum Air can still join in the bidding because it would be as if they are buying their own aircraft.''
Port of NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan said: ''Since 2014 they no longer have privilege, so it appears that it has been flying flights without any customs duties and taxes anymore. They should have paid taxes because they already have no tax-free privilege.
''Whatever the internal issues within the company of the previous owner to the present owner probably that has to be resolved by Skyjet and that can be included in their appeal''
Magnum Air has already filed an appeal claiming that the firm's previous managers were responsible for the aircraft.
In a statement on July 17, Magnum Air which operates Skyjet, said its present management ''has long submitted its willingness to settle any tax and duty obligation that may be legally due
The British made BAE-146 - worth around nine million pounds - had been operating commercial flights in the Philippines as SkyJet Airlines since 2014.
But customs staff investigated earlier this month and said there was no record of import duties being paid for the aircraft.
The plane was seized at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Manila last week after the owners Magnum Air had still not settled the tax bills.
Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapena said that the plane would be forfeited to the government and auctioned if the company is still unable to pay the 90,000,000 Philippine Pesos (1.3m GBP) bill after an appeal.
He added: ''Magnum Air can still join in the bidding because it would be as if they are buying their own aircraft.''
Port of NAIA district collector Carmelita Talusan said: ''Since 2014 they no longer have privilege, so it appears that it has been flying flights without any customs duties and taxes anymore. They should have paid taxes because they already have no tax-free privilege.
''Whatever the internal issues within the company of the previous owner to the present owner probably that has to be resolved by Skyjet and that can be included in their appeal''
Magnum Air has already filed an appeal claiming that the firm's previous managers were responsible for the aircraft.
In a statement on July 17, Magnum Air which operates Skyjet, said its present management ''has long submitted its willingness to settle any tax and duty obligation that may be legally due