DOTr Demands Cathay Pacific Clarify Cebu Airport Passport Mishandling Incident

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has demanded an explanation from Cathay Pacific after a passenger was reportedly denied boarding at Mactan-Cebu International Airport due to a damaged passport allegedly mishandled by the airline’s staff.

According to the DOTr, the incident occurred during the check-in process on April 24, when a passenger bound for Dubai claimed that his passport was torn while being handled by airline personnel. The damage rendered the passport invalid, and no assistance or explanation was reportedly provided by the airline at the time.

The DOTr gave Cathay Pacific until May 1 to formally respond to the incident.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has since instructed all airlines to ensure strict handling protocols are followed to avoid tampering or damaging passports. In response to rising concerns, NAIA has also enforced a new policy barring airport security personnel from touching passengers’ passports at terminal entrances.