Airline firms urged to give special rates for returning OFWs following Naia shutdown
FILE PHOTO: Airplane parked at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport. INQUIRER FILES
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Raffy Tulfo is calling on airline companies to offer special rates for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) affected by the New Year’s Day air traffic control system failure at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Naia).
The senator issued this appeal following the New Year’s Day air traffic control system glitch at the Naia. Reports claim that airfares soared after the January 1 mess at the country’s main airport.
The lawmaker argued that OFWs should not be made to suffer the consequences of the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines’ (CAAP) failure to maintain its Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance Systems for Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM).
At least 360 domestic and international flights were either canceled, delayed, or diverted last January 1 due to the glitch in the air traffic management system of Naia, which is being managed by the CAAP. More than 56,000 travelers have been affected by that aviation snag.
READ: Naia power outage, tech glitch shut PH airspace
“It would be unfair for our OFWs to absorb the fault or negligence of CAAP for the maintenance of their CNS/ATM,” Tulfo said in a statement.
“Marami sa kanila isang beses lang o mas malimit pa makauwi sa isang taon. Yung pera na sana pangpasalubong o di kaya pang suporta sa kanilang pamilya ay pilitang napunta na lang sa pamasahe,” he added.
(Many of them go home once a year or even less. The money that could be used to buy things or for family support is being used for airfare.)
Tulfo purportedly received complaints from OFWs whose flights were canceled due to the air navigation system snag. The OFWs alleged that prices doubled when they tried to rebook their flight.
Tulfo in turn talked to an airline company representative who explained that the price surges were due to demand-based algorithm.
The senator is coordinating with the Department of Migrant Workers about possible subsidy for discounted airfares of the affected OFWs.
The CAAP on Monday, January 2, admitted that its air traffic management system is already outdated.
RELATED STORIES
Solon fears air traffic control glitch has a dark undertone
CAAP insists need to upgrade air traffic control system; hitch due to cyberattack unlikely
DOTr: Naia operations back to normal, affected passengers in PH given assistance
January 1, 2023, the day PH airspace went blank, strips mask off air travel woes, outdated system
