Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 3303 
Introduced by  
REPRESENTATIVE FRANZ S. PUMAREN 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
 Aviation industry is a vital component of the global economy and air travel is a common 
mode of transportation for millions of people. It encourages trade, supports tourism, 
creates employment and fosters growth. Having an efficient system in the air transport 
system is important for a developing country such as the Philippines, 
However, flight disruptions, such as delays and cancellations, can cause significant 
inconvenience and financial loss to passengers.  
Air transportation is a Common Carrier and Article 1733 of the Civil Code provides that 
Common Carriers, from the nature of their business and for reasons of public policy, are 
bound to observe extraordinary diligence in the vigilance over the good and for the safety 
of the passengers transported by them, according to all circumstances of each case. The 
extraordinary diligence for the safety of the passengers generally begins when the 
passenger presents himself/herself at the proper place and in a proper manner to be 
transported. 
This Act is intended primarily to protect the rights of air passengers and to ensure fair 
treatment in the event of flight disruptions. Further, this act shall also strengthen the Air 
Passenger Bill of Rights by the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) most especially in providing 
compensation for significant delays, cancellations, and other inconveniences caused by 
air carriers. 
Thus this legislation shall improve overall quality of air travel services, passenger 
satisfaction and greater accountability for air carriers. 
Given the foregoing, the passage of this measure is earnestly sought. 
FRANZ S. PUMAREN 
 3rd District, Quezon City 
August 6, 2025
5:14 pm


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. 3303 
Introduced by  
REPRESENTATIVE FRANZ S. PUMAREN 
AN ACT ESTABLISHING AIR PASSENGERS RIGHTS AND COMPENSATION 
FOR DELAYED AND CANCELLED FLIGHTS 
Section 1: Short Title This Act may be cited as the "Air Passenger Compensation Act" 
Section 2: Declaration of Policy It is hereby declared the policy of the State to protect 
the rights and promote the welfare of air passengers. The State recognizes great economic 
loss and emotional distress during cancelled flights, delayed flights or any  flight 
disruptions. The State aims to ensure that air carriers provide adequate care and 
compensation to affected passengers. 
Section 3: Definitions For the purposes of this Act the following shall be defined as 
follows: 
a.
Air Carrier/ Airlines - means any person, entity, or corporation engaged in the
business of  air transportation of persons, property, or mail for hire.
b.
Cancelled flight – a non-operated scheduled flight
c.
Delayed Flight – a flight that departs and arrives after its scheduled time
d. Extraordinary Circumstances – circumstances beyond control of the air
carrier, such as but not limited to acts of God, fortuitous event, war, strikes, flood,
storms or any natural disaster.
e.
Flight – scheduled air transport service
f.
Passenger - means any person who purchase and holds a confirmed ticket for a
scheduled flight
Section 4: Scope of Application This Act shall apply to all flights departing from, 
arriving at, or transiting through any airports within the territorial jurisdiction of the 
Philippines. 
Section 5: Passenger Rights and Compensation in case of Delayed Flights and 
Cancelled Flights Attributable to the Air carrier. 
a. For Delays of at least two (2) hours but less than three (3) hours Passengers are
entitled to: sufficient food and refreshments, access to sanitary facilities, first aid
if necessary, free phone calls and internet access. Airlines shall provide updates
regarding the status of flights every twenty (20) minutes.


b. For Delays of at least three (3) hours but not less than six (6) hours passengers 
shall be entitled to those stated in par (a) and should be given an option to rebook 
on the next flight or refund their tickets without additional charges aginst the 
passenger. 
c. For Delays of more than six (6) hours or more or in case of cancelled flights 
Passengers shall be entitled to those stated in the two preceding paragraph, if 
overnight or additional stay is necessary and/or passenger do not live nor reside 
within airport’s vicinity, access to lounge and/or proper accommodation shall be 
provided by air carrier in favor of the passenger, free transportation to and from 
the accommodation must also be provided.  
Passenger shall be entitled to a full refund of the ticket price or rebooking, without 
any additional cost, as well as endorsement to another airline if available or 
necessary at the option of the passenger. An additional compensation of three 
thousand (3,000) pesos shall also be given to the passenger in the event do not 
avail of the accommodation or overnight stay. 
Refunds for cash purchases should be immediate while for credit card purposes 
they should be processed within seven (7) business days. 
Section 6: Passenger Rights in Case of Diversion. When, due to extraordinary 
circumstances, an aircraft is unable to lang at its originally scheduled destination instead, 
rerouted to an alternate airport the passenger shall be entitled to be promptly notified 
about the diversion, including its reason and new estimated time of departure/arrival, at 
least thirsty (30) minutes after the airline becomes aware of the changes and if there is an 
extended delay, the airline must provide regular updates of the situation.  
The passenger shall also be entitled to the rights stated in paragraph 5. In addition, an 
ground alternate transportation must be provided by the air carrier in order to get 
passengers to their final destination, if such is possible. 
Section 7: Elderly, Children and Persons with Disability Passengers. Air 
carrier being a common carriers is required by law to exercise extraordinary diligence, 
therefor must give priority to passengers which requires proper attention and care. In 
case of delay and cancelled flights, air carriers should prioritize the elderly, children and 
passengers with disability. In addition to rights under Par. 5, they must be given proper 
medical attention if necessary, facilities and accommodation that will attend to their basic 
needs.  
Section 8: Passenger Rights in Case they miss Connecting flights and/or 
other flights due to cancellation or delay of First scheduled flight. In the event 
that a passenger missed their connecting flights or other scheduled flights due to delay or 
cancellation of first flight from place of origin, the passenger shall be entitled to rebooking 
and/or full refund of the amount of all the missed scheduled flight/s. 
Section 9: Passenger Right to Rebook flight under the name of an immediate 
family member or next of kin. If due to emergency or reasonable reasons, such as 
but not limited to, health status, death by the ticket holder or latter’s immediate family, 
loss of employment or other reasons similar circumstances, a passenger needs to cancel 
the flight and/or will not be able to use the ticket purchased under his/her name, 
passenger can have his/her ticket rebooked under the name of his/her immediate family 
member or next of kin. Provided, that those circumstances are not present during the time 
the ticket was purchased. 
Section 10: Exemption from Liability. Air carriers shall not be liable for monetary 
compensation under section 5, if the delay or cancellation was caused by force majeure or 
extraordinary circumstances such as, but not limited to, extreme bad weather, acts of God, 


Security threats, Air traffic control directives or congestion, strikes by third parties or 
government requisitions. However, obligation to provide proper care such as sufficient 
food and beverages, accommodation, communication and option for rebooking shall 
remain.  
Section 11: Enforcement. The  Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and 
the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) shall be responsible for enforcing the provisions of this 
Act. 
Section 12: Prescription. This act shall adopt the prescriptive period stated in our 
present laws in case of breach of Contract of Carriage (Culpa Contractual), case arising 
from this shall be filed within ten (10) years from the time the cause of action accrues, as 
the ticket for transportation is considered a written contract. 
Section 13: Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) within sixty (60) days the  
Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) and the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB), 
in coordination with the Department of Transportation (DOTr) shall promulgate the 
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of this Act. 
Section 14:  Penalties Air carriers found in violation of the provisions of this Act shall 
be subject to the following penalties:  
a. First Offense: A fine of not less than One Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 
100,000.00) but not more than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 
300,000.00) 
b. Second Offense: A fine of not less than Three Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 
300,000.00) but not more than Seven Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 
700,000.00) 
c. Third Offense: A fine of not less than Seven Hundred Thousand Pesos (Php 
700,000.00) but not more than One Million Pesos (Php 1,000,000.00) 
Penalties shall be imposed without prejudice to any civil or criminal liabilities that may 
arise under any existing laws. 
Section 15: Effectivity This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days from its publications 
in the Official Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Section 16: Repealing Clause. – All other laws, decrees, executive orders, 
proclamations, other issuances, rules, and regulations, or parts thereof inconsistent with 
the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.