Fianna Fáil TD for Dún Laoghaire, Cormac Devlin, has criticized airlines who have backtracked on earlier promises to issue refunds to passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted by Covid-19 and who are now issuing vouchers with imminent expiry dates.
Deputy Devlin said: “It is a difficult time for the aviation and travel industry with many airlines facing unprecedented uncertainty around their futures. For this reason, the EU has issued updated guidelines on the interpretation of EU passenger rights and has stated that where an airline cancels a flight, passengers must be offered a rerouting or reimbursement.
“Undoubtedly, we must find means of supporting airlines who are heavily impacted by Covid-19, and this may mean extending state aid and amending cancellation guidelines.
“However, many private households and individuals who find themselves in a deeply worrying economic climate and have understandable fears around their own health and that of their loved ones.
“We must ensure that these people are treated fairly as consumers, the circumstances notwithstanding. Airlines should make the process as simple as possible, reports of customers spending hours trying request a refund are worrying. Unreasonable barriers to deter people from accessing their consumer rights are unacceptable.
“Similarly, it would be unfair to retract earlier promises to refund passengers for cancelled flights where commitments had been made, and it is also important that where vouchers are offered to passengers, that they are valid for a minimum of 18 months if not longer,” concluded Deputy Devlin.