Arcilla reiterated that passengers, with its assistance, can
1.
seek “satisfaction of their rights from the airline” or
2. they can
pursue a legal case.
“The CAB is an administrative agency invested with authority under its charter to oversee the aviation industry, through the issuance of pertinent orders and regulations,”
“However, it may not be within the prerogative of the CAB under its limited jurisdiction to assess a situation as the Dec 24 to 25 event, and determine compensation, in a manner that is akin to an adjudication of rights and award of damages that properly pertains to the courts of law,”
“If the airlines fail to satisfy the claims of the passengers in accordance with the rules, passengers may seek the assistance of the CAB in the enforcement of the rules and/or go to court to obtain redress,”
The 2012 Air Passenger Bill of Rights outlines how passengers can be compensated. Specifically, a delay of at least six hours grants a passenger either a free rebooking or refund on top of “compensation” equal to the value of the ticket,
Events from Dec. 24 to 26 “required the application of the Air Passenger Bill of Rights.”
“Therefore, the immediate reaction of the CAB while the Dec 24 to 25 event was unfolding was to issue an advisory admonishing Cebu Pacific to faithfully adhere to the requirements of the APBR, and to go out of its way to ensure the protection of its passengers,”