The Department of Tourism (DOT) has proposed to revise the Air Passenger Bill of Rights (APBR) to introduce new provisions that will allow passengers to get timely notice from airlines in case of flight delays and cancellation.
The Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), where the DOT sits as vice-chair, held a board meeting recently to thresh out issues and discuss the implementation of rules which airlines must abide by during emergencies and similar situations.
On the initiative of the DOT, CAB proposed during the meeting to enhance the APBR.
While it already contains strong provisions protecting the consumer, the APBR will be further strengthened by introducing provisions that will empower passengers to get timely notice or information from airlines whether the flight will be cancelled, delayed or push through.
“The safety and welfare of passengers and tourists have always been a top priority of the CAB and DOT. With the enhanced Air Passenger Bill of Rights, we can ensure that they are provided with relevant, critical, and useful information during emergencies or as natural calamities unfold, thereby helping reduce the inconvenience or stress that passengers may experience during these unfortunate situations,” said Bernadette Romulo Puyat, CAB vice-chair and DOT secretary.
CAB explained the enhancement will obligate airlines to invest on systems upgrade or develop technology to relay announcements to passengers, complete with appropriate advisories on the steps to avail of the entitlements under the APBR.
For its part, the CAB will continue to issue advisories to airlines reiterating their obligations to their passengers.
Passengers are reminded that in cases of force majeure/natural disaster, as a rule, they are entitled to reimbursement of the full value of the fare. Even if the fare was deemed non-refundable by the airline, as long as the basis for the flight delay or cancellation is force majeure, this rule shall apply.
Under the APBR, airlines are only required to reimburse the ticket fare in case of force majeure situation.
Section 11.2 states that in case the air carrier cancels the flight because of force majeure, safety and/or security reasons, as certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, a passenger shall have the right to be reimbursed for the full value of the fare.
Based on the APBR, the provision of this section shall be the minimum entitlement of a passenger in case of cancellation, and shall not prohibit the air carrier from granting more favorable conditions or courses as it may deem appropriate.
Cases of force majeure like the recent eruption of Taal Volcano include the right to compensation and amenities in case of flight delays or cancellation.
