The Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Alexander de Juniac, said today that airlines "request" passengers to assist them by accepting travel vouchers instead of requesting financial compensation for flights canceled during the health crisis.
"We are asking for passenger assistance (...), it's true, and we are asking for that while we are kneeling on our knees," de Juniak told BFM Business website.
The airlines, with the support of France and many other European countries, refund the canceled flight tickets only in the form of vouchers that can be used to purchase another card while they promise to refund their value in cash, if consumers request it, but by delaying at least nine months in order to preserve its money Damaged by the crisis.
However, European rulings give passengers the right to recover money within two weeks.
The defense of consumers has attacked the airline's position.
In early July, Brussels began considering violations in ten European Union countries, including France, in defense of the travelers ’right to compensation in the event that their flight is canceled due to the Corona virus.
"We are still trying to get from the European Commission, enabling us to give vouchers (...) to postpone the refund," admitting de Goyac, admitting that the situation is "difficult" and not understood by everyone.
"Why did we ask that? It is not for entertainment. Our endeavor is to pamper passengers and not cause difficulties and problems, especially financial problems. But (...) the companies are in a dire financial situation," he said.