Cebu Pacific seeks basis of P52.11M fine

MANILA, Philippines – Cebu Air Inc (Cebu Pacific) wants to know from the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) the basis of its P52.11 million ($1.14 million*) fine over the budget carrier’s hundreds of flight delays and cancellations during the holidays.

“We would like to understand the basis for the fine so we would be guided moving forward,” Cebu Pacific vice president for corporate affairs Jorenz Tanada said in a text message Tuesday, January 13.

The local carrier has yet to receive an official communication from the CAB regarding the fine.

The fine collected would be remitted to the national coffers, based on Republic Act 776 or the Civil Aeronautics Act of the Philippines, CAB executive director Carmelo Arcilla said.

A total of 10,400 passengers were affected by the flight delays and cancellations that started on December 24.

The CAB Board decided to impose a P5,000 ($111.68) fine for every affected passenger.

CAB also issued a strong reprimand to Cebu Pacific on top of the hefty fine.

Cebu Pacific is required to establish and maintain appropriate service standards for all its personnel, organic and outsourced, especially those manning the check-in counters, the CAB Board said.

The budget carrier though blamed the air traffic congestion, plus overworked staff during the holidays as the cause of the delays and cancellations – “excuses” that were deemed unacceptable by the investigating panel composed of CAB, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the Manila International Airport Authority. – Rappler.com



$1 = P44.77