Group wants law to protect air passengers

CEBU, Philippines — As complaints against airlines mount on social media, transport advocacy network, The Passenger Forum, yesterday called on legislators to enact a law that would strengthen the air passenger bill of rights and include penal provisions to compel airline companies.

In 2012, the Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC, now DOTr) and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) mutually approved the air passenger bill of rights or the Joint DOTC-DTI Administrative Order No.1 Series of 2012 which seeks to protect air passengers from abusive and unjust airline practices.

“The Air Passenger Bill of Rights was a welcome development during its time and it was helpful.

However, with the most recent rise in incidents of flight cancellations and other air transport problems, we think it is best to have a legislated version that includes provisions that will penalize erring airline companies,” said TPF Convener Primo Morillo in a statement.

Morillo explained that some airlines only give amenities or compensation if an assertive passenger demands for it.

“It seems that airline companies are trying to dodge responsibility by not being proactive in informing affected passengers of their rights. If the law penalizes non-compliance, this problem will be lessened and as this also means additional costs for airlines, the incentive for better systems and customer service is even higher,” Morillo said.

The TPF convener also mentioned that a new law on air passenger rights should also make it clear that too many flight cancellations must have an impact on the airline company’s congressional franchise.

“We should consider some negative milestones for them. We suggest that hefty fines should be in place if flight cancellations amount to a total cost of P50 Million or a total of 10,000 affected passengers whichever goes first,” Morillo added.

He further said that once the total cost reaches P500 million or the affected passengers are already at 100,000 individuals, franchise cancellation proceedings should commence. — (FREEMAN)