Traders said they were having problems booking tickets for indirect flights by adjusting booking conditions and extending wait times between follow-up or transit flights, adversely affecting pre-arranged travel plans.

They considered that changing the terms of the ticket without reference to them violates the reservation rules within the agreed dates and prices, demanding airlines to compensate travelers in the best way for any changes on their part.

Air travel agencies are subject to several terms and conditions set by airlines according to international agreements, according to travel agencies, confirming that companies are committed to return the full value of the ticket if the customer does not agree to any changes made by airlines on the flight.

Waiting time

"I booked a flight ticket from Dubai to Cairo via Muscat International Airport about two months before my departure, waiting for one hour at Muscat airport," said Iyad al-Sayyid, a trader. He was surprised by an e-mail from the airline stating that the waiting time at the airport would reach about 7.30 hours.

He added that he is continuing with the airline, which provided him with other options to make a reservation on subsequent flights, and if he wishes to cancel the reservation, he must pay the cancellation fee, having bought the ticket from the site of electronic booking, pointing out that his plans changed by this amendment by the company Aviation.

He wondered why the airline changed the terms of the ticket without reference to it, in violation of the reservation rules within the dates and prices agreed upon when purchasing the ticket.

Mohammed Al-Abdullah said he booked a flight ticket for his friend from the UAE to Egypt via Bahrain International Airport and was given the option of waiting for four hours, but was surprised after the payment process that the waiting period was up to 12 hours.

He added that he was in direct contact with the airline, which in turn confirmed the booking for a 12-hour wait, but asked him to pay a difference of up to 800 dirhams to modify the reservation and reduce the waiting period. He called on airlines to comply with air transport conditions and compensate travelers.

Amjad al-Khalil said he had booked a flight ticket to Switzerland via a second European airport, but was surprised to see that the waiting time between the flights was six hours before reaching the final destination. He said he had to change travel plans and hotel accommodation as a result.

He confirmed that the airline attributed the delay to the existence of problems beyond its will, did not enable it to run the second flight on time, pointing out that it was later known that the new dates of the second flight was scheduled before the date of the first flight in sufficient time, You do.

Terms and Conditions

"The airline tickets are subject to many conditions and conditions set by the airlines according to the international agreements on the obligations and duties of the parties," said Mohammad Jassim Al Rayes, Executive Vice President of Al Rayes Travel Group. For transit flights.

He added that some airlines provide more facilities for customers, but they all provide alternatives and other options in the event of any action or change in the dates and conditions of transportation by them, noting that airlines are obliged to inform the client of changes in the reservations well in advance of the date of the trip .

"In cases of delay or circumstances beyond the control of the company, the airline provides accommodation and transportation, as well as meals for passengers based on the length of the waiting period, so that the client can take a subsequent flight," explaining that the change of travel reservations is subject to many conditions .

Operational Considerations

"As a result of operational considerations, airlines have the right to make adjustments to the booking, to inform the client of the new dates well in advance of the date of the flight, and to provide alternative options for passengers with minimal losses," said Riyad Al Faisal, general manager of Asayel Tourism. .

He added that the client in this case has the right to cancel or modify the reservation in accordance with the circumstances, pointing out that in all cases, the passenger can sue the airline in case not suited alternative, or damaged by the amendment of the conditions of detention.

He explained that most airlines compensate travelers according to the agreements «Montreal» or «Warsaw» for compensation of passengers.

"In the case of delayed flights, travelers are notified by e-mail and SMS in some cases, and the company provides seats on the next flight available to the same destination, but if not able to, the client has the right to claim the refund of the price of the ticket.

Customer Rights

"Under the international agreements, the airline does not have the right to impose any fees on the customer if the airline makes any adjustments to its flight schedules or operations in a way that affects the arrival of the passenger," said Yasin Diab, general manager of Al Faisal Travel and Tourism. Final destination under the terms of the ticket booked in advance ».

He added that airlines offer customers a range of options for compensation, and vary from one company to another.

He confirmed that the customer has the right to cancel the reservation if he is not suitable for the modification of the dates, and refund the value of the ticket in full, pointing out that if the completion of the first part of the trip, and the delay occurred while the passenger at the airport before completing the second part of the flight, Provide meals for travelers and hotel accommodation if the delay is up to eight hours.

He explained that some companies compensate travelers by transferring them to business class halls or may give them a free ticket in one direction or two ways in the framework of compensation. He pointed out that some of the problems appear in case of booking through another broker and not directly from the airline, The broker may request payment of some fees during the reservation adjustment.