PAL defers hike in domestic fares to April 1

The Philippine Airlines has postponed the increase in its domestic fares in response to the clamor from the tourism sector for relief from the airlines during the Lenten season, one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

In a press statement, PAL expressed the hope that the rollback will go a long way in stimulating domestic travel.

Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines announced similar moves.

PAL said that it would refund the fare difference to passengers who had already bought tickets at the deferred rates.

The new rates, authorized by the Civil Aeronautics Board, were supposed to take effect starting tomorrow, March 21. PAL, instead, decided that the new rates would start only on April 1, after the Holy Week.

This is the second time that PAL has put off a fare adjustment, the first being last Oct. 16. The flag carrier deferred the implementation of that rate so as not to unduly burden the riding public after the Sept. 11 US terror attack.

Early this year, CAB renewed its petition for fare hike, and the Civil Aeronautics Board approved it on Feb. 12.

Sen. Noli "Kabayan" de Castro, chairman of the Senate committee on tourism, immediately lauded PAL, Cebu Pacific and Air Philippines for heeding the call to defer the air rate hike.

De Castro, who had pressed for the maintenance of the old rates, cited the domestic airlines for choosing to give public service a higher priority than their business considerations.

"They gave more importance to their duty to the riding public rather than take advantage of the peak season as any business entity would do. They deserve our admiration for this," he said.

He expressed the belief that the deferment in the air rates would result in an increase of passengers. He noted that many were forced to postpone their trips this coming Holy Week because of the air fare hike.

"The deferment of the air fare increase is not only a sign of championing the cause of the people but also a boon to domestic tourism," De Castro enthused. – Efren Danao