MANILA – The government and several airlines have agreed to carry out sanctions over “unreasonable” flights delays, Transportation secretary Arthur Tugade said recently.
Tugade said airlines have also agreed to honor the passenger’s bill of rights, which states passengers are entitled to refreshments or meals, free phone calls, text or e-mails, and first aid.
“Nagkasundo kami na kailangan magpapataw na ako ng sanction o pena sa mga tinatawag na mga unreasonable delays sa mga schedules ng ating mga airline companies,” he told PTV.
“Nagkasundo rin kami na kung may mga delay, kailangan asikasuhin iyong mga kalagayan ng ating mga biyahero at pasahero.”
Tugade, however, said his department has yet to decide on the amount of the penalty.
“Pinag-uusapan namin iyan na by 24th of June, magkakaroon na kami ng kaliwanagan at kasunduan kung magkano iyong amount. Huwag nating pangunahan iyong amount na pinag-uusapan namin,” he said.
Several flights were diverted and delayed last weekend due to a red lightning alert, which Tugade said could not be attributed to airlines.
“Ito ay ang tinatawag na delay na nagawa at nangyari dahil sa kalikasan. Nagkaroon po tayo ng tinatawag na lightning red alert, na isang sitwasyon na ayaw natin at hindi natin kagustuhan,” he said.
The incident prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to inspect the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). Following this, he ordered for operations at Sangley Airport in Cavite to start “immediately” to decongest NAIA. (ABS-CBN News)
