Senior citizens, PWDs to receive discount on plane tickets purchased online — CAB

Senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs may soon receive discounts on airplane tickets purchased though online booking, the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) said.

CAB made the statement on Tuesday during the House Committee on Transportation Technical Working Group meeting on the rights of airline passengers.

"Meron na tayong imposition na i-adjust na ng airline companies ang kanilang system para ma-accommodate 'yung 20 percent discount sa online transaction. Hindi naman simpleng teknolohiya 'yan," CAB Legal Division chief Atty. Wyrlou Samodio said.

Atty. Paterno Mantaring of Cebu Pacific said during the meeting that airline booking systems do not have the capacity yet to recognize senior citizens.

"The booking system of airlines does not recognize senior citizens. Our system does not have a feature," he said.

"Generally, 20 percent discount [is available] if they would book through ticketing agents," he added.

But once the CAB order is implemented, senior citizens and PWDs availing the discount though online booking will be required to present identification cards for verification.

The resolution is up for approval by the CAB board this Thursday.

"Naka-agenda na ['yan] ngayong Thursday sa board meeting. Bibigyan ng pagkakataon ang airlines para mag-restructure," Samodio said. — LA, GMA News

Clara de Castro of the Philippine Airlines said they are ready to comply with the CAB order once it is released.

"While admittedly we do not have that system yet, once we receive the copy of CAB resolution, we will be cooperating," she said.