House Bill 23 Filed to Protect Airline Passengers

A proposed bill aimed at protecting the rights of airline passengers has recently been filed in Congress by Reps. Francisco Ashley Acedillo and Gary Alejano (Party-list, MAGDALO).

House Bill 23 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. Alejano said under the bill to be known as the "Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act," an air carrier would establish and implement procedures for handling complaints from passengers.

The bill will 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 will use airport overhead announcements, on aircraft announcements and postings on airport television monitors.

Under the measure, air carriers would establish and implement procedures allowing passengers to exit the aircraft in case of departure and arrival delays. Airline passengers will 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 will publish and update monthly on its Internet website a list of chronically delayed flights. The same will be disclosed to customers when purchasing tickets. The proposed bill will also ensure the prominent display of information outlining the consumer rights of passengers. It will also penalize erring carriers with a fine of P10,000 but not more than P30,000 depending on the severity of the offense caused. 

Posted in: Airline Passenger Bill of Rights Act , House Bill 23