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By Darwin G. Amojelar, Reporter
THE Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) has ordered
airlines to grant a 20-percent discount on domestic fares for
persons with disabilities (PWDs).
In a board resolution, CAB said the discount
applies to non-promotional fares. “If the promotional fare
discount is higher than [the] 20-percent discount privilege, the PWD
may choose the promotional fare but should no longer be entitled to
the 20-percent discount privilege,” the order read.
Prior to the order, only senior citizens are
entitled to a 20 percent discount.
The CAB said the discount excludes the payment
of lawful taxes and other fees and charges imposed in relation to
domestic air travel. The discount likewise applies only to
over-the-counter, and not to online, bookings.
In availing the discount, CAB said PWDs should
have an identification card issued by the city or municipal mayor or
barangay captain, or a transportation discount fare ID issued by the
National Council for the Welfare of Disabled Persons.
PWDs are persons suffering from restrictions or
different abilities, as a result of mental, physical or sensory
impairments to perform an activity in a manner or within the range
considered normal for human beings.
The order took effect July 8.
Rolando Estabillo, vice president for corporate
communications of Philippine Airlines said the airline has yet to
implement the said discount pending the release of implementing
guidelines.
Other airlines were unavailable for comments as
of press time.
In the first quarter of the year, CAB reported
that domestic passengers grew 14 percent to 2.73 million from 2.39
million in the same period last year.
In 2007, domestic air travel rose 23 percent to
10.38 million from 8.46 million in the previous year.
In the first quarter this year, the seat
capacity of the country’s five major carriers went up by 7.3
percent to 3.37 million from 3.15 million in the same period last
year.
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