Post by twilight on Mar 19, 2007 18:40:29 GMT 12
Bumped' fliers can seek hefty compo
Passengers who have been "bumped" from domestic flights or delayed can seek compensation from the airline of up to 10 times their ticket price, Consumer Affairs Minister Judith Tizard says.
Overbooking of domestic flights by airlines recently caused one man to be two hours late for his grandmother's funeral.
Air New Zealand says overbooking is a standard practice in the aviation industry because of the "significant percentage" of passengers who do not turn up for flights.
But Ms Tizard said today she had asked the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to investigate and there was "good news" for consumers who had checked in on time but had been bumped or delayed.
"Under the civil aviation legislation, consumers are entitled to compensation from the airline if they are delayed - unless the delay is caused by factors beyond the airline's control such as weather conditions or safety issues," she said.
"Delay includes being bumped on overbooked flights and also covers flights that have been delayed or cancelled because of internal airlines issues, such as rostering."
Airlines would be liable to pay compensation to passengers, up to 10 times the price of their ticket, or the actual cost of the passenger's delay whichever was the lesser.
The compensation would cover loss - for instance missing a game or a concert - or extra costs incurred by the delays - such as lunch, taxi fare or missed connections.
Ms Tizard urged passengers who had been bumped to claim compensation from the airline.
"If the airline refused to pay compensation then consumers can take their claim to the Disputes Tribunal."
Ms Tizard also said Air New Zealand and Qantas were referring to out-of-date legislation in their terms and conditions of travel as stated on tickets and websites.
"This may have led consumers to believe they did not have any rights in response to this issue."
Ms Tizard said airlines should clearly state and publicly display their obligations to their passengers, not just passengers' obligations to the airlines.
www.stuff.co.nz//3998311a11.html
Passengers who have been "bumped" from domestic flights or delayed can seek compensation from the airline of up to 10 times their ticket price, Consumer Affairs Minister Judith Tizard says.
Overbooking of domestic flights by airlines recently caused one man to be two hours late for his grandmother's funeral.
Air New Zealand says overbooking is a standard practice in the aviation industry because of the "significant percentage" of passengers who do not turn up for flights.
But Ms Tizard said today she had asked the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to investigate and there was "good news" for consumers who had checked in on time but had been bumped or delayed.
"Under the civil aviation legislation, consumers are entitled to compensation from the airline if they are delayed - unless the delay is caused by factors beyond the airline's control such as weather conditions or safety issues," she said.
"Delay includes being bumped on overbooked flights and also covers flights that have been delayed or cancelled because of internal airlines issues, such as rostering."
Airlines would be liable to pay compensation to passengers, up to 10 times the price of their ticket, or the actual cost of the passenger's delay whichever was the lesser.
The compensation would cover loss - for instance missing a game or a concert - or extra costs incurred by the delays - such as lunch, taxi fare or missed connections.
Ms Tizard urged passengers who had been bumped to claim compensation from the airline.
"If the airline refused to pay compensation then consumers can take their claim to the Disputes Tribunal."
Ms Tizard also said Air New Zealand and Qantas were referring to out-of-date legislation in their terms and conditions of travel as stated on tickets and websites.
"This may have led consumers to believe they did not have any rights in response to this issue."
Ms Tizard said airlines should clearly state and publicly display their obligations to their passengers, not just passengers' obligations to the airlines.
www.stuff.co.nz//3998311a11.html
