Airlines not automatically exonerated because of global supply issues –CAB

The global supply issues cited by airlines as a major reason for cancellations and flight delays will not automatically exonerate air carriers from accountability, Civil Aeronautics Board Executive Director Carmelo Arcilla said Friday.

“Kahit na pagpalagay natin na ang pangyayari ay tinatawag na force majeure at hindi naman gusto at inaasahan ng airline ang sabi ko hindi kahulugan nito na ang airline ay off the hook,” Arcilla said in a televised public briefing.

(Even if this was a case of force majeure and the airline did not expect it, I said that this did not necessarily mean the airline was off the hook.)

“Kailangn muna i-establish natin ang constant relationship between ano ba ang problema sa pandaigidigang supply at ano ba talaga ang performance ng isang airline dito kasi baka naman itong airline na ito kulang ng kapital, baka naman ito kahit walang problema sa supply o piyesa e talaga namang hindi nagpe-perform nang mabuti hindi siya mae-exonerate,” he explained.

(We first have to establish the constant relationship between the global supply problem and the airline's performance. Because it's possible the airline lacks the capital. Maybe even if there were no problems with supply or parts, the airline's performance would still be bad, and it thus can't be exonerated.)

Arcilla added that it was the task of the airline to exhaust all means to prevent or minimize the inconvenience and suffering of the riding public.

At a Senate probe earlier this week, two airlines apologized for the "disruptions" and "inconveniences" to the public.

Both airlines said engine and supply chain issues were the main problems that affected their operations.

GMA News Online sought reactions from several airlines on the CAB's comments.

While other airlines have yet to respond, PAL Spokesperson Ma. Cielo Villaluna said, “We welcome any move by the CAB to validate the reports of air carriers in line with their regulatory authority, and we will cooperate fully with this process."

"It is well within their jurisdiction to look into our assertions on the impact of supply chain issues on our operations," added Villaluna.

Meanwhile, Arcilla said he favored bringing back a cap on airline overbooking.

Arcilla had told a Senate panel that there were no limits on the percentage that an airline may overbook since the Air Passenger Bill of Rights implementation in 2012.

Arcilla said overbooking or the practice of selling more tickets than the available seats on a flight was "a global practice” which allowed airlines to fill the vacant seats of “no-shows.”

The Senate investigated this practice of overbooking amid claims that there were instances when offloaded passengers were told that a flight was cancelled, but it turned out that it took off. — DVM, GMA Integrated News