Qantas to pay $66 million fine after 'ghost flights' scandal | ABS-CBN
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Qantas to pay $66 million fine after 'ghost flights' scandal
Agence France-Presse
Published May 06, 2024 09:24 AM PHT
SYDNEY — Australian airline Qantas agreed to pay a $66 million fine Monday after a bruising "ghost flights" scandal, following accusations it kept selling seats on long-cancelled trips.
SYDNEY — Australian airline Qantas agreed to pay a $66 million fine Monday after a bruising "ghost flights" scandal, following accusations it kept selling seats on long-cancelled trips.
The country's competition watchdog said Qantas "admitted that it misled consumers" by advertising seats on tens of thousands of flights — despite those flights being cancelled.
The country's competition watchdog said Qantas "admitted that it misled consumers" by advertising seats on tens of thousands of flights — despite those flights being cancelled.
Qantas will also fork out $13 million in compensation to 86,000 travellers impacted by the cancellations and botched rescheduling.
Qantas will also fork out $13 million in compensation to 86,000 travellers impacted by the cancellations and botched rescheduling.
"Qantas' conduct was egregious and unacceptable," said Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairperson Gina Cass-Gottlieb.
"Qantas' conduct was egregious and unacceptable," said Australian Competition and Consumer Commission chairperson Gina Cass-Gottlieb.
ADVERTISEMENT
"Many consumers will have made holiday, business and travel plans after booking on a phantom flight that had been cancelled."
"Many consumers will have made holiday, business and travel plans after booking on a phantom flight that had been cancelled."
Qantas said that, in some cases, customers were booked on flights that had been cancelled "two or more" days prior.
Qantas said that, in some cases, customers were booked on flights that had been cancelled "two or more" days prior.
Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson said the airline "let down customers and fell short of our own standards".
Qantas chief executive Vanessa Hudson said the airline "let down customers and fell short of our own standards".
"We know many of our customers were affected by our failure to provide cancellation notifications in a timely manner and we are sincerely sorry," she said in a statement.
"We know many of our customers were affected by our failure to provide cancellation notifications in a timely manner and we are sincerely sorry," she said in a statement.
The US$66 million (Aus$100 million) fine is subject to court approval.
The US$66 million (Aus$100 million) fine is subject to court approval.
ADVERTISEMENT
Long-dubbed the "Spirit of Australia", 103-year-old national carrier Qantas has been on a mission to repair its reputation.
Long-dubbed the "Spirit of Australia", 103-year-old national carrier Qantas has been on a mission to repair its reputation.
It has faced a consumer backlash stirred up by soaring ticket prices, claims of sloppy service and the sacking of 1,700 ground staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.
It has faced a consumer backlash stirred up by soaring ticket prices, claims of sloppy service and the sacking of 1,700 ground staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Qantas has previously defended selling seats on cancelled flights.
Qantas has previously defended selling seats on cancelled flights.
It argued that rather than buying tickets for specific seats, customers buy a "bundle of rights" and a promise the airline will "do its best to get consumers where they want to be on time".
It argued that rather than buying tickets for specific seats, customers buy a "bundle of rights" and a promise the airline will "do its best to get consumers where they want to be on time".
Qantas posted an annual profit of $1.1 billion last year, capping a major financial rebound after the travel turbulence of the Covid years.
Qantas posted an annual profit of $1.1 billion last year, capping a major financial rebound after the travel turbulence of the Covid years.
ADVERTISEMENT
Veteran chief executive Alan Joyce announced his early retirement amid a barrage of criticism in September last year.
Veteran chief executive Alan Joyce announced his early retirement amid a barrage of criticism in September last year.
© Agence France-Presse
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
