Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III is urging the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to implement a policy that requires airlines to automatically issue cash refunds for canceled or delayed flights.
Pimentel pointed out that this measure is similar to one recently enacted in the United States, which mandates that airlines provide cash refunds without requiring passengers to request them.
The rule would also cover delayed baggage, allowing passengers to claim refunds for baggage fees if their luggage is not delivered within a specific timeframe.
“Sana all,” Pimentel remarked, expressing hope that Filipino travelers could benefit from similar protections. He emphasized that both local and international passengers should be reimbursed for the inconvenience caused by flight delays and cancellations.
The senator believes that adopting such a policy may encourage airlines to improve their services.
Pimentel noted that flight delays have become so common in the Philippines that the term is almost synonymous with certain airlines.
He referenced an incident on May 20, when at least 38 domestic flights and 21 international flights were delayed, and three flights were canceled due to “software issues” at the Air Traffic Management Center, affecting about 9,240 passengers.
As a lawyer, Pimentel stated that airlines should be held accountable for all delays in flights and luggage arrival, asserting it is “social injustice” if the government does nothing to address these recurring issues.
He mentioned that he has experienced flight delays and cancellations like many other Filipino travelers.
“What we want to prevent is the ruining of what should be a good and pleasant travel or vacation experience. We aim to make airlines accountable and ensure that passengers receive refunds without delay,” Pimentel said.
