Passengers of Philippine Airlines (PAL) waited for about three hours in getting their check-in luggage due to lack of baggage handlers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) terminal 2.
Flag carrier Philippine Airlines (PAL) on Tuesday apologized for the delay of passengers' check-in luggage due to lack of baggage handlers at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 2.
This situation is happening in other airlines and airports in the world since most airlines streamlined their operations and reduced ground personnel during the pandemic, it was explained.
PAL spokeswoman Cielo Villaluna said passengers of flights PR113 and PR115 who arrived from Los Angeles and San Francisco, respectively, were affected by the delay in the release of their baggage on yesterday (August 1).
"We acknowledge the inconvenience caused by this delay and we assure our passengers that improving their travel experience is our top priority," PAL said in a statement.
Passengers of both flights reportedly waited for about three hours and were irritated because of the delay in getting baggage caused by the shortage of manpower.
"It is unfortunate that the labor shortage being experienced by our third-party service providers, an issue that is currently occurring at airports and affecting airlines globally, resulted to lack of station loaders and baggage personnel at the airport," the carrier added.
The problem also occurred in European and other airports.
Heathrow Airport in United Kingdom blamed disruption on lack of airline baggage handlers. Luggage delays are also adding to the problems Canadian air travelers are facing.
It was reported that number of people employed in ground handling declined over the last two years because of the cost- cutting that airlines resorted to during the pandemic.
"Nonetheless, we are assuring our customers that we are closely working with our service partners to achieve an expeditious and sustainable solution and prevent a recurrence of this unacceptable situation," PAL added.
Tags: #palapologize, #lackofbaggagehandlers, #philippineairlines, #passengersirritated