Airline customers to get Europe-style refunds for late flights
Make us a preferred source
Make us a preferred source on Google
The news: The federal government will establish a ‘charter of rights’ for airline customers to seek compensation for delays and cancellations for flights operating from Australia, after releasing its long-awaited aviation white paper.
The context: Transport and Infrastructure Minister Catherine King will this morning release the overdue aviation white paper in a bid to arrest the soaring costs of air travel, complaints from customers and the collapse of two airlines.
The paper will introduced a ‘Charter of Rights’ allowing customers to get refunds for flights that are disrupted, delayed or cancelled. The scheme will be operational by 2026, according to the government.
It is unclear whether it will go as far as the Europe Union’s scheme which gives travellers are guaranteed a percentage of the flight cost if it is delayed by three hours or more.
King will also announce an ombudsman with powers to force airlines and airports to abide by their own terms and conditions, including refunds.
What they said: “Air travel is a necessity for many Australians, but those traveling with disability have had to put up with poor service, inaccessible designs and rules that limit their travel options,” King said.
“Through our consultation we heard clearly that the treatment of people with disability by the airlines and airports is not good enough.
“People have been left stranded on planes, forced to return to their departure port or had to put up with poor treatment due to a lack of access to appropriate facilities at their destination.
“The Albanese Government is strengthening the rights of people with disability while traveling, as well as enforcing stricter compliance with existing obligations.”
The source: Transport Minister's office
