Bacolod Mayor Alfredo Benitez said he called the Cebu Pacific (CEB) management on Thursday, July 27, to express his disappointment and frustration over the airlines’ handling of its delayed flight that he took on Wednesday night.
CEB Flight 5j471 was supposed to leave the Ninoy Aquino International Airport for the Bacolod-Silay Airport at 8:45 p.m., but departed almost three hours later at about 11:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
The airline management told him they would look into his complaint, investigate and get back to him, Benitez said.
“I think they acknowledged that Wednesday was a difficult day for them because there was a typhoon, but other airlines were on time,” he said.
The problem was there was poor information dissemination, uncooperative staff, airport monitors showed different departure times and gate assignments changed several times, Benitez said.
“Our carriers should be more considerate of their passengers and handling of information about the flight should be of utmost priority. People left hanging is the worst,” the mayor said.
One passenger said they were informed five times that it was time for boarding only to be made to further wait without any explanation. Benitez said they should provide advance information to passengers before departure time when they know that there will be a delay.
He asked to speak to a supervisor when the flight was delayed Wednesday night and was told that the person was not there, Benitez said.
“It seems it is normal for flights to be delayed and it is rare for them to be on time,” he said.
What is important is they inform the passengers of the real score and not keep them hanging, he said.
DIGICAST NEGROS tried to reach CEB for its side but got no reply.*