DOTC preparing data on Cebu Pacific flight delays and cancellations

(Updated 3:57 p.m.) The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) is gathering its own data that will serve as grounds for sanctions to be imposed on Cebu Pacific over widespread flight delays and cancellations during the Christmas holidays.

 

"The panel is now gathering its own data to serve as grounds for eventual sanctions," DOTC spokesman Michael Arthur Sagcal said in a text message to GMA News Online on Tuesday.

 

"The exact sanction/s will depend on what the information shows," he said.

 

Sagcal said the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) can impose fines, suspensions, and revocation of franchise.

 

"What is clear from the panel’s initial report is that Cebu Pacific had an appalling number of delayed flights from December 24 to 26. Cebu Pacific is blaming air traffic congestion, but this does not appear to be supported by the facts,” Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said in an e-mailed statement on Tuesday.

 

The panel, composed of the CAB, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, and the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), on Dec. 29 summoned Cebu Pacific officials to explain the flight delays and cancellations.

 

It was not convinced by the reasons given by Cebu Pacific, such as air traffic congestion, weather condition, and sudden absence from work of ground crews.

 

Abaya said six flights arrived late at NAIA in the early morning of Dec. 24 but there was no congestion yet at that time.

 

"These incidents of tardiness caused a domino effect of delays throughout the rest of the day. And yet Cebu Pacific claims that it was congestion that caused the mess,” he said.

 

On the morning of Dec. 26, there were only two check-in counters for domestic flights opened. 

 

According to the Cabinet official, it was not until 11:00 a.m. that more counters were opened, after CAB and MIAA intervened.

 

DOTC said data the airline submitted on Dec. 29 noted 20 canceled flights and 288 delayed flights at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 from Dec. 24 to Dec. 26.

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone on Monday filed House Resolution 1782 asking the House committees on transportation and legislative franchises to probe Cebu Pacific in particular for possible violations of Republic Act 7151 and other related laws over the widespread flight delays and cancellations during the holiday season. 

 

RA 7151 granted Cebu Air Inc. a franchise to establish, operate and maintain transport services for the carriage of passengers, mail, goods and property by air, both domestic and international. – VS, GMA News