[Jan Fisher]

The Australian Lawyers Alliance (ALA) wants the federal government to develop a compensation scheme to protect passenger rights similar to ones in Canada, the UK and the EU.

Let’s face it, do you know of anyone who had travel plans during the pandemic who got the full value of any travel payments back? I certainly didn’t.

Even since, with the huge amount of late and cancelled flights, airlines make you jump through hoops to give you even a fraction of what you paid back.

The ALA has cited the example of a Jetstar flight turned back from Bali over Christmas. Passengers received a $200 flight voucher in compensation. In the EU, they would have been awarded about $1000. I know which one I would prefer.

No doubt the airlines will throw their hands up and say it will bankrupt them, put people out of jobs, ruin Christmas etc, etc, but sometimes forcing these big corporations to pay money is the only way to make them act.

Just remember, Qantas CEO is expecting a $24 million farewell payment from the airline when he plans to leave the job this year.

Have you ever got money back from a cancelled flight?

[Alan]

At the start of COVID19 I was in India about half way through my program. When I arrived in Jaisalmer I was greeted with the news that the Province was closing that evening and so I quickly made arrangements to fly to Delhi that afternoon and from Delhi to Bangkok the next evening. This meant that I had to cancel two flights – the airline gave me a choice of a voucher valid for 12 months or a cash refund of about 50% of the price of the ticket. Given how the Pandemic turned out I am glad I chose the refund.

Where a flight is cancelled by the Airline they should be refunding the cost of the ticket or allow the Passenger to choose their replacement flight under the same rules as the flight was booked. A flight booked at low season rates must be taken in a low season window. If the price of the new ticket is higher then the airline should wear the cost. The only exceptions being where the flight is rebooked within the next week or so of the intended departure.

In a few weeks time I will be flying from Canberra to Sydney and then overseas. I have allowed extra time than needed for the transfer in Sydney and I would expect that if the Canberra flight is cancelled that the airline would give me priority of a later flight that will still have me in Sydney in time for my departure overseas. The flight was booked as a single ticket, so the airline has responsibilities.

[Author]

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