Bill for air commuters filed

CEBU, Philippines - A neophyte Cebuano congressman representing a party-list has filed a measure that aims to protect the rights of airline passengers.

Magdalo Party-list representatives Francisco Ashley Acedillo and Gary Alejano have co-authored House Bill 23 which seeks to address the problem of airline passengers ranging from poor quality of service, delay and cancellation of flights and disappearance of reservations, among others.

The bill is now in the House Committee on Transportation.

Under the bill, to be known as the “Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act,” an air carrier shall establish and implement procedures for handling complaints from passengers.

The bill shall provide passengers on board an aircraft or in the airport timely, reasonable and truthful information regarding delays, cancellations or diversion affecting the customer’s flight including its cause.

The air carrier shall use airport overhead announcements, on-aircraft announcements and postings on airport television monitors.

Under the measure, air carriers shall establish and implement procedures allowing passengers to exit the aircraft in case of departure and arrival delays.

Airline passengers shall be provided with the essential needs at all times during which the aircraft is on the ground, in the event of a departure delay, including the needs for food, water, sanitary facilities, medical access, adequate ventilation and comfortable cabin temperatures.

In cases of chronically delayed flights, air carriers shall publish and update monthly on its website a list of chronically delayed flights. The same shall be disclosed to customers when purchasing tickets.

The bill shall also ensure the prominent display of information outlining  the consumer rights of passengers.

Any carrier that violates the provision of this act shall pay the affected passenger not less than P10,000 but not more than P30,000 depending on the severity of the offense caused. —/BRP  (FREEMAN)