Joy Adalia
Aside from worrying about the “tanim-bala” modus and scamming porters at Ninoy Aquino International Airport, it seems that passengers also have to keep a close eye on their luggage’s weight.
Netizen Cristina Duran Catabona complained about her experience at the Cebu Pacific check-in counter at Terminal 3 in NAIA last October 4, 2015. Since there were weighing scales placed in strategic points inside the airport, Cristina weighed hers and took some pictures.
Much to her surprise, the bags came out heavier by 3 kilograms at the Cebu Pacific check-in counter. She showed the snapshots of the bags’ weight at the other weighing scale and complained about the added weight.
She was told by the Cebu Pacific staff that they were merely renting the weighing scales from the NAIA. In disputes like this, the final verdict is based on the reading from the check-in counter’s weighing scale, even if the other weighing scale is located within NAIA, too.
The difference might not affect passengers if the final weight will not exceed the baggage allowance, but for those who exceed the limit it can be a pricey consequence.
Based on data from Cebu Pacific’s official website, excess baggage rates for domestic flights are at P200/kg. Meanwhile, international flights are charged differently, depending on the point of origin and the destination. For example, the cheapest rates are P250/kg for flights between Manila and Guangzhou (China) but the numbers vary and could be as high as P1200/kg for flights between Manila and Dubai.
UPDATE: Cebu Pacific issued an official statement on the issue on their official Facebook page last October 6.
Read Cebu Pacific’s post here:
Sources: Facebook/Cristina Duran Catabona, Cebu Pacific
