There are two distinct types of airline, low cost airlines such as easyJet and IATA airlines such as British Airways and depending on which category the airline falls in can impact its refund policy.
Under the current Covid-19 pandemic most governments are now advising against all but essential travel which means airlines are increasingly forced to cancel flights and refund its passengers in full.
Several t&g clients have been advising t&g that some IATA Airlines are refusing to offer refunds where flights have been cancelled as a result of the Government’s advice and are only issuing vouchers for use at a future date.
This contravenes the current IATA Resolution 824r which advises IATA Airline Members that they have to issue refunds in the same payment format they have received on all airline documents (etickets or EMDs) to IATA Accredited Agents.
IATA Resolution 824r advises that:
- IATA are asking airlines to authorise the use of GDS refunding applications to make refunds to IATA Agents
- Unused tickets are funded no later than the next remittance date –next BSP date
- Partly used tickets – refunds made or authorised by no later than 2 months after the refund application is from the agent by the carrier (airline).
- ABTOT Members and t&g clients should push for GDS refunds as much quicker than via BSP Link.
t&g clients who require more information need to email teamtravel@travel-general.com or call 0207 065 5300