THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DoTr) and at least three airline companies are set to decide June 24 on the amount of penalties to be imposed on “unreasonable” flight delays at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), according to Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade. “Ang una po, doon sa NAIA 1, 2, 3 and 4, nagpulong-pulong po ako kasama iyong mga may-ari ng ating mga airline companies…. Nandiyan na ho iyong Philippine Airlines, ang Cebu Pacific at AirAsia na kung saan nagkasundo po na kailangan tingnan iyong tinatawag na on time punctuality record ng ating mga paliparan at iyong mga airline company (Regarding NAIA 1, 2, 3, and 4, we had a meeting with the owners of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, and AirAsia where it was agreed that there is a need for time punctuality records from our airports and airline companies),” Mr. Tugade said in a Cabinet Report sa Teleradyo interview transcript emailed by the Presidential Communications Office to reporters on Saturday. “Pinag-uusapan namin iyan na by 24th of June, magkakaroon na kami ng kaliwanagan at kasunduan kung magkano iyong amount (We agreed that by the 24th of June, there will be clarification and agreement on the amount),” he added. “Napagkasunduan din ho namin na magkakaroon ng slots’ removal kung magiging sobra na iyong mga delay.” (It was also agreed that there will be removal of slots regarding delays that take too long.) On Monday last week, Civil Aeronautics Board Executive Director Carmelo L. Arcilla issued an advisory saying: “All scheduled air carriers are reminded of their obligation to properly explain to their passengers and make truthful announcements of the reason/s of any flight delay and cancellation.” — Arjay L. Balinbin

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