Just Plane Frustrating: Restriction on folding umbrellas eased, now allowed on domestic flights

Photo: ABS-CBN News" width="100%" />
Photo of confiscated umbrellas in Iloilo International Airport in August. Photo: ABS-CBN News

Folding umbrellas will now be allowed as carry-on items on domestic flights, the Department of Transport (DOTr) announced yesterday, rescinding a long-standing restriction that has infuriated Filipino flyers for years.

In a Facebook post, DOTr’s Office for Transportation Security (OTS) announced that its decision to change the rule was made due to “public clamor,” but clarified that full-sized “cane umbrellas” are still prohibited as carry-on items.

The OTS said that it adheres to standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization in prohibiting items, which include anything from explosives and deadly weapons to “seemingly innocent” objects that could otherwise be a security threat to other passengers. This had included all types of umbrellas, which were classified as “sharp objects.”

It remains unclear when the rule change will go into effect. Coconuts Manila called the OTS several times today for clarification, but they had yet to respond as of press time.

In August, almost a hundred umbrellas were confiscated at Iloilo International Airport airport alone, with some passengers so frustrated that they actually destroyed their umbrellas before handing them over to airport officials, ABS-CBN News reported.

Many netizens have also pointed out inconsistencies in enforcement prior to the policy change. Commenter Jenny Torcuator said she had “been carrying folded umbrellas a long time and I’ve never been called out [for it].”

Photo: Office for Transportation Security / FB

 

DOTr-OTS said that easing the restriction had been approved by both airlines and airport operators during a “lengthy discussion” on Oct. 8.

Observers, meanwhile, said the revision was long overdue, with a Facebook user dubbed “Three-ky Sowth” tersely responding: “Finally. Thank you.”

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