MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to ensure passengers affected by flight disruptions during the upcoming 49th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit can rebook flights for free, obtain full refunds, or convert their tickets into travel credits without additional charges.

Presidential Communications Office (PCO) Undersecretary and Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon was coordinating with airlines to protect passengers from additional expenses resulting from flight cancellations and delays related to the regional summit.

“Ipinag-utos ng Pangulo kay DOTr Secretary Vince Dizon na siguraduhin na walang pasahero ang malalagay sa alanganin ngayong gaganapin ang ASEAN Summit. Kasalukuyan nang nakikipag-ugnayan ang ahensya sa mga airlines para sa kapakanan ng mga pasahero,” Castro said.

Dizon earlier said the government did not expect international flights to be canceled, although delays could occur as aircraft carrying ASEAN delegates would be given priority.

He said heightened security operations in Metro Manila, particularly at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), could affect some flights as foreign leaders are expected to arrive for the summit.

Airlines have been instructed to provide affected passengers with three options: free rebooking with all fees and penalties waived, a full refund of the ticket price, or conversion of their booking into travel credits for future trips.

Dizon assured the public that the government and airlines would uphold the rights of affected passengers and ensure they would not shoulder additional financial costs due to the disruptions.

| PND