MANILA, Aug. 1 (PNA) — Rep. Evelina G. Escudero (1st District Sorsogon) pushes for a bill mandating airline companies to refund in full the tickets of passengers who canceled their flight reservation three days before the scheduled trip.
Escudero said House Bill 5676 seeks to protect the right of passengers by granting them the privilege of availing a full refund of their ticket without service charge or cancellation fee.
Escudero said the cancellation of the flight should be made three days before the scheduled trip and subject to the submission of the ticket and other pertinent documents.
According to Escudero, the policy on refunds is included in the “condition of carriage” of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) for all Philippine-registered airlines.
“Local or foreign airlines allow voluntary refund subject to certain conditions including the payment of service charges or cancellation fees,” Escudero said.
Escudero said the airlines are compelled to refund the ticket of the passengers if the carrier cancels a flight or fails to operate a flight reasonably according to schedule.
“Likewise, airlines may refund the tickets if the carrier causes the passengers to miss a connecting flight on which the passenger holds a confirmed reservation or unable to provide previously confirmed space,” Escudero said.
Escudero said in case a portion of the ticket has been used, the refund would be the difference between the fare paid and the applicable fare for the transportation used.
Under the bill, the refund availed of by the passenger or the purchaser of the ticket shall be processed and release not later than 7 working days after submission of complete requirements.
The bill imposes a fine of Php 10,000 for violation of the proposed act. The fine shall be imposed for each violations committed.(PNA)