The Makati City regional trial court (RTC) has ordered Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, to answer the P21-million damage suit filed by a Filipino mother and her daughter for the airline’s alleged negligence in protecting them from a drunk passenger during their flight from Geneva to Abu Dhabi in July 2022.

Etihad was ordered to answer the complaint 30 days from receipt of the summons issued by RTC Branch 138 Clerk of Court Atty. Marianne M. Serrano. The summons was addressed to Etihad’s Philippine branch office on Ayala Avenue, Makati City.

Etihad was cautioned by the trial court that the airline firm’s failure to answer the complaint within the specified period may lead to a judgment of default. The court also reminded Etihad not to file a motion to dismiss.

The damage suit was filed by Christine C. Arimas and her daughter Kristina Mikaela.

The complaint arose from the alleged physical and verbal assaults against the mother and daughter by a reportedly intoxicated male passenger during their six-hour flight from Geneva to Abu Dhabi on July 25, 2022.

In her complaint, Christine said that about two hours into their flight, she was abruptly grabbed and forcibly pulled from her seat and the assailant shouted racial insults at her.

She said the commotion drew the attention of cabin crew and fellow passengers, leading to the removal of the assailant from Christine's vicinity.

She also said that her daughter was awakened by the disturbance and witnessed her ordeal in fear and helplessness.

Christine pointed out that the airline did not take adequate measures to protect her from the intoxicated passenger like restraining the assailant and preventing him access to her during the flight.

She also lamented that upon their arrival at Abu Dhabi Airport, no actions were taken by the airline to address the incident or ensure her and her daughter’s safety and well-being.

Thus, Christine said she and her daughter left the airport without remedy as the airline firm even refused to reveal the identity of the intoxicated male passenger.

She and her daughter accused Etihad of breach of contract of carriage by failing to ensure their safety and abusing their rights by neglecting proper protocol in handling air rage incidents. They sought compensation totaling P21 million for actual, moral, and exemplary damages, aside from P1 million for attorney's fees and litigation expenses.

Etihad Airways, an international aviation company with flights to various destinations including Manila and Cebu, is registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission.

Its offices in Makati City could not be contracted for comment as of posting.