Flight delays? Passengers may soon get money back

Pasig City Rep. Roman Romulo. CONGRESS.GOV.PH

MANILA, Philippines—Passengers of airlines may get their money back due to unreasonable flight delays once this bill becomes a law

House Bill 5069 or “Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act” was filed by Pasig Representative Roman Romulo to strengthen the rights of airline passengers.

The bill wants to impose liabilities on airlines due to unreasonable denial of boarding, loss or damage of baggage, delays or cancellation of flights, and even incidents resulting in injuries or death.

The bill seeks to fine tune the Air Passenger Bill of Rights.

According to the bill, the passengers’ right to compensation may be in the form of cash or voucher in cases of delay or cancellation of flights.

The bill also states that a terminal delay of five hours is already a canceled flight that will be compensated.

In the bill’s explanatory note, Romulo said he has personal experience of flight delays and cancellation

“Airline companies should be forthright to all passengers with respect not only to the terms and conditions of their services, but also the possible reliefs that passengers are entitled to in case of delays or cancellation of flights,” he said.

Romulo said major airlines companies like Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific are among the most profitable ones, and that “it is  not unreasonable for passengers to expect in return that superior service and adequate relief to all types of inconveniences will be delivered and provided by the airlines.”

The other passengers’ rights in the bill are: relevant information pertinent to their flights; adequate care on the spot at terminals/stations; sufficient meals and refreshments commensurate to the passengers’ waiting time; free hotel accommodation in case of cancelled flights; and free access to various means of communications.

Also included in passengers’ rights are: reimbursements within five days, either by cash, by electronic bank transfer, bank orders or bank cheques or, with the signed agreement of the passenger, in travel ​vouchers and/or other services; endorsement to another air carrier without paying any fare difference; and free rebooking of flights.

Failure to comply with the provisions of the bill will result in the suspension or revocation of the air carrier’s franchise or license to operate.

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