A Filipino traveler took to social media to express her disappointment and frustration over a significantly delayed flight from Davao to Manila, which resulted in passengers enduring over 8.5 hours of delay. Originally set to depart at 4 pm, the flight eventually left Davao at 12:19 am, landing in Manila close to 3 am.
To exacerbate their weariness, many passengers, including Joan Antonio, had embarked on a grueling 4-hour land journey from General Santos (Gensan) to Davao before the said flight.
Cebu Pacific (often abbreviated as Cebpac), the airline responsible for the flight, reportedly rescheduled the departure five times, citing a bird strike as the cause.
Antonio lamented the lack of clear communication from the airline, revealing that passengers had to rely primarily on online flight status updates and had to inquire multiple times at counters to gain clarity on the repeated rescheduling.
The ramifications of such significant delays have real-life implications. Antonio shared that one of her colleagues had to attend her brother’s wake, highlighting the impact on personal schedules and commitments.
Antonio’s post shed light on broader concerns about the airline’s commitment to its domestic clientele.
Cebu Pacific’s slogan “Let’s fly, for every Juan” came under scrutiny, with Antonio alleging that the airline is not “pro-Pinoy”.
She bemoaned the lack of proper customer service, inadequate crisis management strategies, and alleged preferential treatment towards foreign passengers when it came to accommodations during flight disruptions.
Among the grievances shared, Antonio recounted seeing passengers forced to sleep on airport floors, a lack of adequate seating, inconsistent airport procedures, and what she considered inadequate compensation – a mere cup of noodles.
Antonio’s call to action was not just aimed at Cebu Pacific but extended to other airlines and aviation governing bodies like the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
She implored them to “uplift the dignity of your local passengers,” and emphasized that while operational hitches can occur, the manner in which services are extended during such times is crucial.
Representatives from Cebu Pacific and the CAAP have yet to comment on Antonio’s post.