Lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc are pushing for the non-expiry of airline travel funds and a faster refund process for affected flights caused by the pandemic and natural disasters.
Under House Bill No. 9516 filed on May 29, the proposal aims to have a uniform scheme for refund and rebooking of airline tickets in flights.
Lawmakers lament that current rules and regulations on rebooking and travel refunds are based on the specific guidelines set by different airline companies.
“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,” lawmakers said in a statement.
“Regulators and authorities have not anticipated the massive effect of the pandemic to the airlines and its passengers. The current Air Passenger Bill of Rights did not anticipate this pandemic, and as legislators, we shall institutionalize measures that the situation may see fit,” they added.
The proposed measure will pave the way for a uniform process when it comes to travel ban, health emergency and natural calamities.
For refund, the bill says that passengers can avail refund through payment reversal and no penalties shall be imposed.
A passenger can opt to initiate the refund up to one year since the implementation of the ban.
For rebooking, passengers can rebook their tickets to any destination without additional fees. A passenger can initiate the rebooking any time.
For the travel fund, passengers can convert the value of their tickets to the travel fund and use it for another flight.
The proposal indicates that travel ban will have no expiration.
