Glossary

Air Passenger Bill of Rights (Philippines): Rules that protect air passengers in the Philippines, for example on delays, cancellations and refunds. Complaints go to the airline first, then to the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB).
Balikbayan: A Filipino citizen, or a former Filipino citizen, returning to the Philippines. Balikbayan privileges are set out in Republic Act 6768, as amended.
Balikbayan box: A box of personal goods sent home by Filipinos abroad. Duty-free limits and how often you can send one are set by customs law and Bureau of Customs rules — check the Bureau of Customs before you ship.
Checked and cabin baggage: Checked baggage travels in the hold; cabin baggage goes with you on board. Allowances differ by airline, fare type and route, and low-cost fares often include no checked bag.
Codeshare and operating airline: On a codeshare flight one airline sells the ticket under its flight number while another operates the plane (“operated by”). Under EU rules, compensation is claimed from the operating airline.
Denied boarding: When an airline refuses to carry a passenger who has a valid ticket and checked in on time, often because the flight is overbooked.
DMW: Department of Migrant Workers — the Philippine department responsible for overseas employment. It took over the functions of the former POEA. Source: dmw.gov.ph
EU 261 (Regulation 261/2004): EU rules on compensation and care for delays, cancellations and denied boarding. They cover flights departing the EU, and flights into the EU operated by an EU airline. Source: europa.eu
Extraordinary circumstances: Events outside the airline’s control, such as severe weather or air traffic control restrictions. They usually remove the right to compensation under EU and UK rules, but not the right to care while you wait.
Fare type (fare family): The same seat can be sold under different fare types with different baggage, change and refund rules. Compare the conditions, not only the price.
IATA code: A three-letter airport code (MNL for Manila) or a two-letter airline code (PR for Philippine Airlines), assigned by the International Air Transport Association.
Montreal Convention: An international treaty on airline liability, including for lost, damaged or delayed baggage on international flights. Its limits are set in Special Drawing Rights and revised from time to time. Complain to the airline in writing within 7 days for damaged baggage and within 21 days for delayed baggage. Source: europa.eu
NAIA: Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila (MNL), the main international airport of the Philippines.
OEC: Overseas Employment Certificate — the document from the DMW that overseas workers use to leave the Philippines for work. Check the DMW for who needs one and how to get it. Source: dmw.gov.ph
OFW: Overseas Filipino Worker — a Filipino working abroad, usually on a contract.
OWWA: Overseas Workers Welfare Administration — the Philippine agency that runs welfare programmes for its OFW members. Source: owwa.gov.ph
Schengen area and the 90/180 rule: A group of European countries with shared visa rules. A short-stay Schengen visa allows at most 90 days in any 180-day period. Philippine passport holders need a visa. Source: home-affairs.ec.europa.eu
Self-transfer: Connecting between two flights booked on separate tickets. If the first flight is late, the second airline does not have to rebook you, so allow plenty of time.
Travel tax: A tax collected by TIEZA from some travellers leaving the Philippines. Overseas workers and some other travellers are exempt — check TIEZA for the current rules. Source: tieza.gov.ph
UK261: The UK’s version of the EU rules. It covers flights departing the UK, and flights into the UK operated by a UK or EU airline. Source: caa.co.uk