AirFrance KLM backs passenger bill of rights

MANILA, Philippines - AirFrance KLM is supporting the establishment of clear rules on the rights of airline passengers in the Philippines, a ranking official said.

Marnix Fruitema, senior vice president for Asia Pacific of AirFrance KLM, said in an interview that the proposed Passenger Bill of Rights would help protect the interest of passengers of both domestic and foreign airlines.

“That is a good thing. It is the same in Europe where you can have clear and transparent rules on what the passengers can have and what they cannot have,” Fruitema stressed.

The final version of policies protecting the rights of air passengers being pushed by former Transportation Secretary – now Interior and Local Government – Secretary Mar Roxas was supposed to have been finalized last month.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) together with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) held public consultations to finalize the rules and regulations.

AirFrance KLM is set to increase the capacity of its flights between Manila and Amsterdam via Taipei by 14 percent starting Oct. 28 this year on the back of the strong macroeconomic fundamentals of the Philippines and at the same time to address growing demand.

AirFrance KLM offers daily round-trip flights from Manila to Europe via its hubs at the Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Paris Charles de Gaulle. KLM uses Boeing B777-200 to fly to Amsterdam seven times a week via Taipei.

Between Oct. 28 this year and March 24 next year, KLM would use Boeing B777-200 from Manila to Amsterdam four times a week but would use the bigger B777-300 to fly from Amsterdam to Manila three times a week.

“Beginning winter 2012, KLM will increase its capacity by 14 percent with three of the seven weekly flights to be operated by B777-300. Flights will continue to make a less-than-two-hour stop in Taipei in between Manila and Amsterdam without changing aircraft,” the airline said.