House of Representatives (MANILA BULLETIN)


Makabayan bloc solons have refiled a bill seeking a uniform scheme for the refund and rebooking of airline tickets in flights affected by prolonged natural disasters or pandemics. The proposal is embodied in House Bill (HB) No.8556, or the Pandemic Airfare Relief Act. It was principally filed in the current 19th Congress by House Deputy Minority leader and ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro. The measure aims to protect the rights and interests of airline passengers. At the same time, it seeks to ensure that airlines are held accountable for any disruptions caused by these events. "During times of natural disasters or pandemics, airline passengers are among the most vulnerable. They are often left stranded and unsure of what their rights are when it comes to refunds and rebooking of their flights," Castro said. "The Pandemic Airfare Relief Act seeks to address this by providing a clear and uniform set of guidelines for both passengers and airlines to follow," she noted. The measure was first filed during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in the previous 18th Congress by Bayan Muna Party-list and other members of the Makabayan bloc. "While travel is put on halt, one of the issues that will arise is the procedure of refunding or rebooking tickets, as there is no uniform policy as set by law to give guidance to airlines, especially with the situation that would entail massive flight cancellations such as the one brought by this pandemic," read HB No.8556. "Current rules and regulations on rebooking and/or travel refund relies only on the unilateral guidelines set by the airlines themselves. Regulators and authorities have not anticipated the massive effect of the pandemic to the airlines and its passengers," it further read. Castro said: "We urge our fellow lawmakers to support this bill and ensure that the rights and interests of airline passengers are protected during times of natural disasters or pandemics."