Tiger Airways
A lawyer from Baybay City in Leyte province is demanding compensation for a flight delay of over six hours in May.
Augustin Alo sued low-cost airline Tiger Airways Philippines after his flight was cancelled and he was told to catch another one.
Cebu Daily News sought out Cebu Air for comment, but calls and text messages to corporate communications manager Michelle Pestaño were not answered.
Alo, who said he had undergone a heart surgery, said the flight delay caused him discomfort and inconvenience.
He asked the Regional Trial Court in Cebu City to order Cebu Air, Inc., owner of Tiger Airways-Philippines, to pay P200,000 in damages and P200,000 for litigation expenses.
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He said the airline breached its contract of carriage with the passenger by its conscious failure to transport him promptly, faithfully, with extraordinary diligence and care.
Alo said he rode a boat from Baybay City to Cebu City so he could catch his 8 p.m. flight last May 23, 2015.
Upon arrival at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, he was told that his flight was cancelled.
He was told to take another flight at 2:20 a.m. the following day.
Alo said he could not afford to spend the night at the airport since he easily gets tired following a heart surgery.
He insisted that he be allowed to take the 12 midnight flight, but the airline personnel refused since the plane was already full.
“They gave mixed, unjustifiable reasons why they cancelled plaintiff’s flight,” Alo said.
Left without a choice, the lawyer decided to stay at the airport while waiting for the 2:20 a.m. flight.
Alo said airline employees did not bother to take care of him and the other passengers.
“Cebu Pacific/Tiger Airways did not take extraordinary measures to mitigate the pain and suffering of its passengers. Defendants did not provide us where to rest and sleep, no hotel accommodation for the time being,” he said.
“We were not provided with blankets as it was cold. They did not even provide us snacks, and even water to drink. They let us lie down and sleep on the floor and chairs of the airport as if we were animals,” he added.