Three members of the House of Representatives under the 20th Congress are calling for an investigation into the issue of flight delays, cancellations and diversions, amid the Christmas and yearend holiday rush.
In a joint statement, Northern Samar 1st District Rep. Niko Raul Daza, 1Tahanan party-list Rep. Nathaniel Oducado and Kamanggagawa party-list Rep. Elijah San Fernando filed House Resolution No. 596 to seek congressional hearings on flight schedules and ticket pricing.
“Sadly, peak travel seasons like this are also seasons of numerous complaints about sudden and excessive spikes in airline ticket prices, mass flight delays, cancellations and diversions,” Oducado said.
The resolution called on the House Committee on Transportation chaired by Quezon City 3rd District Rep. Franz Pumaren to look into the “implementation and adequacy of existing policies on air passenger protection in cases of delayed, cancelled and diverted flights.”
The lawmakers are seeking explanations from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Civil Aeronautics Board and Department of Transportation.
Oducado said the legislative inquiry would help in the deliberations on House Bill 3303 that seeks to establish air passenger rights and compensation for delayed and cancelled flights.
“We also want to look into whether airline companies are doing their duty in providing timely information, refunds and rebooking, compensation, and special consideration for vulnerable passengers such as the elderly, children, and persons with disabilities,” he added.
